The Right Honourable Sir Milton Margai PC, MD |
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The Right Honourable Sir Milton Margai
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1st Prime Minister of Sierra Leone | |
In office 27 April 1961 – 28 April 1964 |
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Monarch | Elizabeth II |
Preceded by | position established |
Succeeded by | Sir Albert Margai |
Chief Minister of Sierra Leone | |
In office 1954 – 27 April 1961 |
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Leader of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) | |
In office 1951–1964 |
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Preceded by | Position created |
Succeeded by | Sir Albert Margai |
Personal details | |
Born |
Milton Augustus Strieby Margai 7 December 1895 Gbangbatoke, Moyamba District, British Colony of Sierra Leone |
Died | 28 April 1964 Freetown, Sierra Leone |
(aged 68)
Resting place |
At the Sierra Leone House of Parliament compound Tower Hill, Freetown, Sierra Leone |
Nationality | Sierra Leonean |
Political party | Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) |
Profession | Medical Doctor |
At the Sierra Leone House of Parliament compound
Sir Milton Augustus Strieby Margai, PC (7 December 1895 – 28 April 1964) was a Sierra Leonean politician and the first prime minister of Sierra Leone. He was the main architect of the post-colonial constitution of Sierra Leone and guided his nation to independence in 1961.
Margai was born on 7 December 1895 in the village of Gbangbatoke, Moyamba District in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone to Mende parents. Sir Milton is the oldest of eighteen children [1]. At the time of his birth, Sierra Leone was a British Protectorate. His father, M.E.S. Margai, hailed from Bonthe District and was an affluent businessman. Margai received his primary education at the Evangelical United Brethren School in Bonthe, Bonthe District. and his secondary education at St Edward's Secondary School in Freetown. He earned his bachelor's degree in history and was the first Protectorate man to graduate from Fourah Bay College in 1921. Margai went to medical school in England and in 1926, graduated as a medical doctor from the Durham University College of Medicine (which went on to become Newcastle University Medical School). Margai also attended the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. He was the first Protectorate man to become a medical doctor.
Margai played several musical instruments: the piano, violin and the organ.
Margai returned to Sierra Leone in 1928 after earning his medical degree and enjoyed an exceptional career in the Colonial Medical Service. He served in 11 of 12 districts in the protectorate. He waged informational campaigns on social welfare and hygiene.