Eric Gairy
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The Right Honourable Sir Eric Mathew Gairy |
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|---|---|
 |
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| Prime Minister of Grenada | |
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In office 7 February 1974 – 9 March 1979 |
|
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor General |
Leo de Gale Paul Scoon |
| Preceded by | Himself as Premier |
| Succeeded by | Maurice Bishop |
| Premier of Grenada | |
|
In office 25 August 1967 – 6 February 1974 |
|
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Herbert A. Blaize |
| Succeeded by | Himself as Prime Minister |
| Chief Minister of Grenada | |
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In office August 1961 – 19 June 1962 |
|
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | George E. D. Clyne |
| Succeeded by | Herbert A. Blaize |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
February 18, 1922 Dunfermline, Grenada |
| Died | August 23, 1997 (aged 75) Grand Anse, Grenada |
| Nationality | Grenadian |
| Political party | Grenada United Labour Party |
| Spouse(s) | Cynthina Gairy (1949-1997) |
| Children | Jennifer and Marcelle |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Sir Eric Matthew Gairy PC (18 February 1922 – 23 August 1997) was the first Prime Minister of Grenada, serving from his country's independence in 1974 until his overthrow in a coup by Maurice Bishop in 1979. Gairy also served as head of government in pre-independence Grenada as Chief Minister from 1961 to 1962, and as Premier from 1967 to 1974.
Eric Matthew Gairy was the son of Douglas and Theresa Gairy, and was born 18 February 1922 in Dunfermline, St. Andrew's Parish on the eastern side of the island near Grenville, Grenada. He attended the LaFillette School and then the St. Andrews Roman Catholic Senior School. He was also an acolyte at St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church, next door to the school. He became a primary "student-teacher" in the LaFillette School from January 1939 to September 1941.
Eric Gairy returned to Grenada from Curacao in December, 1949 to enter trade unionism and politics. In 1950 he founded the Grenada Manual & Mental Workers Union (GMMWU) and was deeply involved in encouraging the 1951 general strike for better working conditions. This sparked great unrest - so many buildings were set ablaze that the disturbances became known as the "red sky" days - and the British authorities had to call in military reinforcements to help regain control of the situation. Gairy himself was taken into custody.
In 1951 Gairy founded the Grenada United Labour Party. He was elected as a representative of the Colony of Grenada's Legislative Council in 1951, 1954, and 1957. He was banned from political activities and lost his seat between 1957 and 1961.
Gairy was returned in a by-election in July 1961 and became Chief minister, as his party held a majority in the Legislative Council since winning the 1961 general election. He served as Chief Minister from August 1961 until April 1962 when he was dismissed by the British colonial Governor for the questionable use of state funds.
Gairy's party lost the 1962 general election and he served as leader of the opposition between 1962 and 1967.
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