Robert Osborn (Jamaica) facts for kids

Robert Osborn (1800–1878) was an important Jamaican newspaper editor. He also fought for equal rights for free people of color, who were people of mixed race who were not enslaved.

Early Life and Fighting for Rights

Robert Osborn was born on April 5, 1800. His father was Kean Osborn, a white Jamaican planter from Scotland. His mother was a woman of color. Kean Osborn was a powerful person who led the House of Assembly of Jamaica in 1798. When Kean died in 1820, he did not leave anything for Robert in his will.

In 1828, Robert Osborn started a newspaper called The Watchman with his friend Edward Jordon. This newspaper worked hard to get equal rights for free people of color in Jamaica, which was a British colony at the time. Soon, it also became a strong voice against slavery in Jamaica. After slavery ended, Osborn and Jordon changed the newspaper's name to The Morning Journal.

In 1830, Osborn and Jordon sent a special request, called a petition, to the Jamaican Assembly. This was like the government's law-making group. Because of their efforts, the Assembly finally agreed to let free people of color vote and hold public jobs.

Becoming a Politician

In 1832, Osborn won a spot on the Kingston Common Council. This was a local government group in the city of Kingston. In 1835, he was chosen to join the Assembly, representing the area called Saint Andrew. He stayed in the Assembly until it was closed down in 1865. This happened after a major uprising known as the Morant Bay Rebellion.

Osborn was a strong supporter of free people of color. He was even more daring than many other members of the Assembly, including his friend Jordon. In 1835, after winning his election in St Andrew, he gave a speech. He said he was elected by a group of people and would work to help them. He wanted to make sure they were successful and got good jobs. Later, he had to change what he said because the governor put pressure on him.

Removed from Public Service

In 1861, Osborn disagreed with the governor, Charles Henry Darling. Osborn did not like some of the governor's decisions. He wrote about his disagreement in The Morning Journal. Osborn supported a request from over 100 people he represented. They were asking for help because they were very poor and did not have enough medical care. Because of this, Governor Darling removed Osborn from the Privy Council. This was a group of important advisors to the governor.

In 1865, Governor Edward John Eyre closed down the Assembly after the Morant Bay Rebellion. Osborn was very upset about this. He felt it was wrong to take away Jamaica's democratic rights. Osborn believed that "the wrongs of Africa" would eventually be made right in this part of the world. He also thought that in the future, the colonies would be governed by Black people.

Later Life and Death

Robert Osborn passed away on April 1, 1878. His funeral was held the next day at the Half Way Tree Church.