Edward Oliver LeBlanc
Edward Oliver LeBlanc | |
|---|---|
| 1st Premier of Dominica | |
| In office 1 March 1967 – 27 July 1974 | |
| Deputy | Nicholson Ducreay Ronald Armour |
| Succeeded by | Patrick John |
| Chief Minister of Dominica | |
| In office 21 January 1961 – 1 March 1967 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Frank Baron |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 October 1923 Vieille Case, Dominica |
| Died | 29 October 2004 (aged 81) Vieille Case, Dominica |
| Political party | Dominica Labour Party |
| Spouse |
Ethel Patrick (m. 1949) |
Edward Oliver Le Blanc (3 October 1923 – 29 October 2004) was a Dominican politician. He served as the chief minister of Dominica from January 1961 to 1 March 1967 and as the first premier of Dominica from 1 March 1967 to 27 July 1974.
Life and career
Le Blanc was born in Vieille Case, a village on the north coast of Dominica. He joined the Dominica Labour Party in 1957.[1] He joined the government of the Federation of the West Indies in Trinidad in 1958,[2] but later returned to Dominica to become the leader of his party. He won a seat in the House of Assembly in 1961.[citation needed]
Le Blanc served as chief minister of Dominica from January 1961 to 1 March 1967. In March 1967, when the British granted Dominica associated statehood, Le Blanc became the premier.[3]
Le Blanc tried to implement socialist policies in Dominica. He was committed to helping poor workers, whom he called "little men", a catchphrase that still remains in Dominican politics.[1] He was very popular with voters, winning three elections in three different constituencies, and is believed by many to be one of the founders of the Dominican nation.
Le Blanc unexpectedly resigned from office on 27 July 1974 and retired from public life. He did not explain his retirement and refused to give interviews, but it is believed that he was tired of the opposition to his policies by many in the government. He returned to Vieille Case, where he died on 29 October 2004.[4]
References
- ^ a b "Edward Oliver Le Blanc". Division of Culture. Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
- ^ Bute, Evangeline; Harmer, H. J. P. (6 October 2016). The Black Handbook: The People, History and Politics of Africa and the African Diaspora. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 9781474292870.
- ^ "E.O. Leblanc described as an exemplary leader". Dominica News Online. 29 October 2014.
- ^ "Edward Leblanc, 81; Led Dominica Toward Independence". Los Angeles Times. 31 October 2004. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
| Chief ministers (1960–1967) |  | |
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| Premiers (1967–1978) | ||
| Prime ministers (1978–) | ||
Acting officeholders shown in italics | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
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