Johan Ferrier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Johan Ferrier
|
|
|---|---|
Johan Ferrier in 1975
|
|
| 1st President of Suriname | |
| In office 25 November 1975 – 13 August 1980 |
|
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Hendrick Chin A Sen |
| Governor of Suriname | |
| In office 15 March 1968 – 25 November 1975 |
|
| Preceded by | Henry Lucien de Vries |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Prime Minister of Suriname | |
| In office 16 April 1955 – 16 July 1958 |
|
| Preceded by | Archibald Currie |
| Succeeded by | Severinus Desiré Emanuels |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Johan Henri Eliza Ferrier
12 May 1910 Paramaribo, Suriname |
| Died | 4 January 2010 (aged 99) Oegstgeest, Netherlands |
| Political party | National Party of Suriname |
| Alma mater | University of Amsterdam (PhD) |
| Occupation | Politician Teacher |
Johan Henri Eliza Ferrier (born May 12, 1910 – died January 4, 2010) was an important Surinamese politician. He became the very first President of Suriname when the country became independent. He served as president from November 25, 1975, to August 13, 1980.
Before becoming president, he was the last governor of Suriname from 1968 to 1975. Suriname was a colony of the Netherlands at that time. In 1999, people in Suriname called him the most important politician of the 20th century.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Johan Ferrier was born in 1910 in Paramaribo, the capital and largest city of Suriname. He studied to become a teacher. In 1946, he helped start the National Party of Suriname. At this time, Suriname was still a colony of the Netherlands.
He also helped create the Boy Scouts van Suriname (Boy Scouts of Suriname). He was their first Chief Scout. When he was only 16, he worked as a teacher in the Saramacca district. There, he started his first Scout Group. This group is still active today and is called "De Johan Ferrier groep, de groep 2 Oranje Dassers."
A Career in Politics
Johan Ferrier was a member of the National Council until 1948. After that, he went to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. He studied how to teach better there. When he returned to Suriname, it had become an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. He kept studying and working in education.
From 1955 to 1958, he worked as both the prime minister and the interior minister. He was also in charge of education in Suriname for some time. From 1968 to 1975, he served as the governor.
Becoming President
In 1975, Suriname became fully independent from the Netherlands. Johan Ferrier was chosen to be the country's first president. However, in 1980, there was a military takeover led by Dési Bouterse. This event made President Ferrier decide to resign within six months.
Life After Politics
After leaving politics, Johan Ferrier moved to the Netherlands with his family. They lived in a town called Oegstgeest. His daughter, Kathleen Ferrier, later became a member of the Dutch Parliament.
In 2005, Johan Ferrier's life story was published in a book. It was called Last Governor, First President: The Century of Johan Ferrier, Surinamese. The Queen of the Netherlands gave him a special honor called a knighthood. He once said, "Even in the darkest days, I kept my optimism."
His Passing
Johan Ferrier passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 4, 2010. He was in his home in Oegstgeest, Netherlands. He was 99 years old, just four months shy of his 100th birthday.
Many important people shared their sadness. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands honored him. The Dutch Prime Minister, Jan Peter Balkenende, called Ferrier "an authoritative and wise statesman." A politician named Jan Pronk praised Ferrier for helping to bring people together.
Johan Ferrier was buried on January 11, 2010, in Oegstgeest. From April 16, 2009, until his death, he was the oldest living former head of state in the world.
Johan Ferrier Fund
On May 12, 2010, which would have been Johan Ferrier's 100th birthday, the Johan Ferrier Fund was officially started. This fund aims to continue his work by supporting projects in Suriname. These projects focus on education and culture. Johan Ferrier's daughter, Joan Ferrier, started the fund. She first shared the idea with her father in September 2009.
Images for kids
-
Johan Ferrier (2009)
See also
In Spanish: Johan Ferrier para niños
