Cheddi Jagan - Guyana's Father of Nation, Birthday and Personal Life
Cheddi Jagan's Personal Details
Cheddi Jagan was a former president of Guyana.This biography gives detailed information about his childhood, life, works and timeline.
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | March 22, 1918 |
| Died on | March 6, 1997 |
| Nationality | Guyanese |
| Famous | Howard University, Northwestern University, Leaders, Political Leaders, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Guyana's Father of Nation |
| Spouses | Janet Jagan |
| Known as | Cheddi Berret Jagan |
| Childrens | Nadira and Cheddi Jr |
| Universities |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
|
| Founder / Co-Founder |
|
| Birth Place | Port Mourant |
| Religion | Hinduism, Atheism |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Jagan |
| Mother | Bachaoni |
| Sun Sign | Aries |
| Born in | Port Mourant |
| Famous as | Guyana's Father of Nation |
| Died at Age | 78 |
Cheddi Jagan's photo
Who is Cheddi Jagan?
Cheddi Jagan was a former president of Guyana, who played a key role in Guyana’s struggle for independence. For his contribution to Guyana, he is regarded as the “Father of the Nation”. He was born on a sugar plantation as the son of the plantation foreman; his parents were of Indian decent. As an adult, he studied dentistry in the United States at Northwestern University in Chicago. During this time, he also became interested in political science and studied it. He then returned to Guyana with his American wife Janet, where he practiced as a dentist before becoming a politician. He began his political career with workers unions, later becoming Prime Minister of British Guyana on two separate occasions. His radical socialist views were often opposed during his early political career. He and his wife, who was also an influential political figure in Guyana, founded the largest political movement in Guyana’s history, as well as the country’s first modern political party, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). They continued to be important political figures in the country for over six decades, working their way up from worker’s union positions, through parliament, and on to the presidency. Jagan became the President of Guyana in 1992, remaining in the position until his death in 1997. He is regarded in Guyana as “the father of the nation” to this day.
// Famous Political Leaders
Edi Rama
Edi Rama is the current Prime Minister of Albania. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Leo Varadkar
Cam Leo Varadkar is the current Taoiseach—the Prime Minister—of the Republic of Ireland. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about his life.
Childhood & Early Life
He was born on March 22, 1918, on Plantation Port Mourant, British Guiana (now called Guyana). His father was the plantation foreman, and both of his parents were of Indian ancestry.
He received formal education at his father’s insistence. At the age of 15, he enrolled in Queen’s College secondary school in the nation’s capital, Georgetown.
He was unable to find work after high school, prompting him to move to the United States and study dentistry at the age of 18.
He studied at Howard University in Washington, D.C., from 1935 to 1937, taking pre-dental courses.
He attended Northwestern University in Chicago’s dentistry program from 1938 to 1942, before returning to Guyana in October of 1943.
Career
He started practicing dentistry in Georgetown, Guyana in 1943. It was here he first began to make political contacts.
In 1945, he took his first step into politics, as treasurer of a workers union. He did not keep the position for long as he was removed after he objected to some of the union’s practices.
In 1947, he was elected to the British Guianan legislature, in the first election since World War II.
In 1950, he and his wife formed the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Guyana’s first modern political party, with Jagan as its leader.
He became the nation’s first Prime Minister in 1953, under the new British-granted constitution. He was removed from office later the same year, after pushing for radical socioeconomic reforms. The British suspended the constitution and chose an interim government.
In 1957 elections, Jagan's Party PPP emerged as the winner and he became the minister of trade abd industry. In his new role he pursued moderate policies of socioeconomic reform.
In 1961, he was once again elected Prime Minister of Guyana, with the PPP winning by a slim margin of only 54%.
He continued to push for socialist government in Guyana, leading to rioting during his second term as Prime Minister and British troops being stationed in Guyana once again, from 1961–1964.
Jagan’s party PPP lost the subsequent general election in 1964. However, he continued his involvement in politics. He served as the leader of the opposition and became the PPP’s general secretary in 1970.
After sitting in the opposition for 28 years, PPP won the 1992 elections and Jagan became the president of Guyana. He remained in power until his death in 1997.
Major Works
He is known for his contribution in liberating Guyana from British colonization and in establishing democracy.
He created the first major political party in Guyana’s history, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
He authored several books; these include: 'Forbidden Freedom: The Story of British Guiana' (1954), 'The West On Trial: My Fight for Guyana's Freedom' (1966), 'The Caribbean Revolution' (1979) and 'The Caribbean: Whose Backyard?' (1984).
Awards & Achievements
He was twice elected as the Prime Minister of Guyana, in 1953 and in 1961, respectively.
In 1992, he became the President of Guyana.
Personal Life & Legacy
He married Janet Rosenberg, an American, in August 1943, while living in Chicago. She returned to Guyana with him, where she worked as his dental assistant, and was later heavily involved in his political activities.
He and his wife have two children, Nadira and Cheddi Jr, and five grandchildren
He suffered a heart attack on February 15, 1997, and was flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he underwent heart surgery.
He died in Washington, D. C., on March 6, 1997, as a result of his previous heart attack.
The national airport of Guyana, The Cheddi Jagan International Airport, located near Georgetown, is named for him.
Trivia
Before studying dentistry, he first considered becoming a teacher. However, teachers at that time in British Guiana were required to be Christians, and he was unwilling to abandon his Hindu faith.
It was while studying dentistry in the United States that he first became interested in political science. In addition to his degree in Dental Surgery, he also received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Northwestern University.
// Famous Leaders
Edi Rama
Edi Rama is the current Prime Minister of Albania. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.
Tecumseh
Tecumseh was a Native American leader of the Shawnee clan. This biography profiles his childhood, life and timeline.
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.
Cheddi Jagan biography timelines
- // 22nd Mar 1918He was born on March 22, 1918, on Plantation Port Mourant, British Guiana (now called Guyana). His father was the plantation foreman, and both of his parents were of Indian ancestry.
- // 1935 To 1937He studied at Howard University in Washington, D.C., from 1935 to 1937, taking pre-dental courses.
- // 1938 To 1943He attended Northwestern University in Chicago’s dentistry program from 1938 to 1942, before returning to Guyana in October of 1943.
- // 1943He started practicing dentistry in Georgetown, Guyana in 1943. It was here he first began to make political contacts.
- // 1943He married Janet Rosenberg, an American, in August 1943, while living in Chicago. She returned to Guyana with him, where she worked as his dental assistant, and was later heavily involved in his political activities.
- // 1945In 1945, he took his first step into politics, as treasurer of a workers union. He did not keep the position for long as he was removed after he objected to some of the union’s practices.
- // 1947In 1947, he was elected to the British Guianan legislature, in the first election since World War II.
- // 1950In 1950, he and his wife formed the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Guyana’s first modern political party, with Jagan as its leader.
- // 1953He became the nation’s first Prime Minister in 1953, under the new British-granted constitution. He was removed from office later the same year, after pushing for radical socioeconomic reforms. The British suspended the constitution and chose an interim government.
- // 1957In 1957 elections, Jagan's Party PPP emerged as the winner and he became the minister of trade abd industry. In his new role he pursued moderate policies of socioeconomic reform.
- // 1961In 1961, he was once again elected Prime Minister of Guyana, with the PPP winning by a slim margin of only 54%.
- // 1961 To 1964He continued to push for socialist government in Guyana, leading to rioting during his second term as Prime Minister and British troops being stationed in Guyana once again, from 1961–1964.
- // 1964 To 1970Jagan’s party PPP lost the subsequent general election in 1964. However, he continued his involvement in politics. He served as the leader of the opposition and became the PPP’s general secretary in 1970.
- // 1992 To 1997After sitting in the opposition for 28 years, PPP won the 1992 elections and Jagan became the president of Guyana. He remained in power until his death in 1997.
- // 15th Feb 1997He suffered a heart attack on February 15, 1997, and was flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he underwent heart surgery.
- // 6th Mar 1997He died in Washington, D. C., on March 6, 1997, as a result of his previous heart attack.
// Famous Northwestern University
Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert is an American comedian and satirist. Read the biography to learn all about his childhood, career, profile and timeline.
David Schwimmer
David Shwimmer is an American actor who is best known for his portrayal of ‘Ross Geller’ in the famous American sitcom ‘Friends.’ This biography profiles his childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.
George Joseph Stigler
George Stigler was one of the most influential economists of the 20th century. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts related to his life.
Ann-Margret
Ann-Margret is a famous Swedish-American actress, singer and dancer. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.
Cindy Crawford
Cindy Crawford is an American supermodel and actor. This biography of Cindy Crawford gives detailed information about her childhood, life, works, achievements and timeline.
Saul Bellow
Saul Bellow was a celebrated Canadian-born American writer and novelist. This biography provides information about his childhood, life, writing and academics career and timeline.
Cheddi Jagan's FAQ
What is Cheddi Jagan birthday?
Cheddi Jagan was born at 1918-03-22
When was Cheddi Jagan died?
Cheddi Jagan was died at 1997-03-06
Where was Cheddi Jagan died?
Cheddi Jagan was died in Washington, D.C.
Which age was Cheddi Jagan died?
Cheddi Jagan was died at age 78
Where is Cheddi Jagan's birth place?
Cheddi Jagan was born in Port Mourant
What is Cheddi Jagan nationalities?
Cheddi Jagan's nationalities is Guyanese
Who is Cheddi Jagan spouses?
Cheddi Jagan's spouses is Janet Jagan
Who is Cheddi Jagan childrens?
Cheddi Jagan's childrens is Nadira and Cheddi Jr
What was Cheddi Jagan universities?
Cheddi Jagan studied at Howard University,Northwestern University, Howard University, Northwestern University
What was Cheddi Jagan notable alumnis?
Cheddi Jagan's notable alumnis is Howard University, Northwestern University
Which company or organization was founded by Cheddi Jagan?
Cheddi Jagan was the founder/co-founder of People’s Progressive Party
What is Cheddi Jagan's religion?
Cheddi Jagan's religion is Hinduism, Atheism
Who is Cheddi Jagan's father?
Cheddi Jagan's father is Jagan
Who is Cheddi Jagan's mother?
Cheddi Jagan's mother is Bachaoni
What is Cheddi Jagan's sun sign?
Cheddi Jagan is Aries
How famous is Cheddi Jagan?
Cheddi Jagan is famouse as Guyana's Father of Nation