Stephen Campbell was an Arawakan Guyanese politician and political activist, and the first Amerindian member of Parliament in Guyanese history. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Biography

Stephen Joseph Campbell was born to Tiburtio A. Campbell and his wife, Maria dos Santos, in Santa Rosa, British Guiana, ^[5] on 26 December 1897. Both of Campbell's parents died when he was young, and he was subsequently raised by his grandmother. He was brought up as a devout Catholic. He studied at Santa Rosa Mission School, and subsequently worked for many years as a teacher and as a catechist in various regions of Guyana. Campbell married Umbelina Da Silva on 9 February 1928. ^{[6] [7]}

On 10 September 1957, Campbell became the first Amerindian member of Parliament in Guyanese history, when he was elected onto the Legislative Council of British Guiana. ^{[1] [2] [3]} He subsequently joined the National Labour Front. ^[6] In 1961, Campbell changed parties to The United Force. ^[8] In 1964, he became Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. ^[9]

Campbell went to Toronto, Canada for medical treatment, and died there on 12 May 1966, ^[5] just two weeks before Guyana won independence from Great Britain. ^[6] He was buried in Canada. ^[5]

Legacy

Campbell is widely regarded as a hero by Amerindian communities in Guyana, and his achievements are celebrated on 10 September every year as a part of Amerindian Heritage Month. ^{[1] [2] [3] [10]} Campbelltown has been named after Stephen Campbell. ^[11] In 2018, the building of the Ministry of Citizenship was renamed after Campbell. ^[9]

References