Ralph Brown (politician)

Ralph Eugene Brown OJ, CD (May 17, 1924 – 1999) was a Jamaican politician who represented the People's National Party (PNP). He served twice as mayor of Kingston from 1974 to 1977 and again from 1986 to 1989. He was Minister of Works (1978–1980), and Minister of Local Government and Community Development (1989–1992).

The Honourable Ralph Eugene Brown OJ, CD
Minister of Local Government and Community Development
In office 1989–1992
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor General	Sir Florizel Glasspole Sir Howard Cooke
Prime Minister	Michael Manley
Preceded by	Neville Lewis
Succeeded by	Desmond Leakey
Minister of Local Government and Community Development
In office 1980–1980
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor General	Sir Florizel Glasspole
Prime Minister	Michael Manley
Preceded by	William Isaacs
Succeeded by	Neville Lewis
Minister of Works
In office 1978–1980
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor General	Sir Florizel Glasspole
Prime Minister	Michael Manley
Preceded by	Ernest Peart
Succeeded by	Anthony Spaulding
Personal details
Born	May 7, 1924 Kingston, Jamaica
Died	December 31, 1999 (aged 75)
Nationality	Jamaica
Political party	People's National Party
Spouse(s)	Veronica Albertha (née Johnson) ​ ​ (m. 1958)​

Early life and education

Brown was born on May 17, 1924 in Kingston. He was educated at Kingston Senior School, now Kingston High School.

Political career

Brown first served as a Councillor for the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) from 1950 to 1958. In the 1958 Federal election, he defeated George P McFarlane of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) by 2,042 votes to become the Member of Parliament for the West Indies Federation from the parish of Kingston.[1] He served in this position until Jamaica's independence and exit from the West Indies Federation in 1962. Brown again served as Councillor for the KSAC from 1969, becoming Deputy Mayor of Kingston (1973–1974) and Mayor of Kingston (1974–1976). In the 1976 general election, he polled 7,667 votes against the JLP's Ivan Moore to win the Kingston West Central constituency for the PNP.[2] Brown served as PNP general secretary from 1978, following the resignation of DK Duncan from that position. He was also a past Vice President of the PNP.[3] He served as Minister of State, then Minister of Works (1978–1980) in the cabinet of Prime Minister Michael Manley. He also served briefly as Minister of Local Government and Community Development in 1980.[4] When the PNP lost the 1980 general election, he again won his seat, polling 5,361 votes to the JLP's Ivan Moore (3,803).[5] He did not contest the 1983 general election, which was boycotted by the PNP. Brown again served as Mayor of Kingston from 1986 to 1989. In the 1989 general elections, Brown defeated Olivia Grange (JLP), by 1,869 votes to win the constituency of Kingston Central.[6] He was again appointed Minister of Minister of Local Government and Community Development in the cabinet of Michael Manley. He served in this position until his resignation in early 1992.[7] In 1993, Brown retired from representational politics. He was succeeded as member of parliament by Colonel Leslie Lloyd.[8][9][10]

Honors and awards

In 1975, Brown was awarded the Order of Distinction, Commander class. He also received the Order of Jamaica.[3] In 2005, the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) building in downtown Kingston, was renamed in honour of Brown.[11]

Personal life and death

Brown married Veronica Albertha Johnson on June 4, 1958.[3] He died in 1999.[9]

See also

• List of Mayors of Kingston, Jamaica

References

1. Troy Caine (2 April 2018). "The 1958 federal election". Jamaica Observer. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
2. "Jamaica General Election Results (1976)". Electoral Commission of Jamaica. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
3. "Jamaican personalities". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
4. "Government of Jamaica Ministry Papers (1/1980) Change in the Structure of Government" (PDF). National Library of Jamaica. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
5. "Jamaica General Election Results (1980)". Electoral Commission of Jamaica. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
6. "Jamaica General Election Results (1989)". Electoral Commission of Jamaica. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
7. Erika Harding (8 January 1992). "Jamaica: Cabinet Reshuffle". University of New Mexico. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
8. "Know Your Constituencies: Kingston Central". 26 January 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
9. Gary Spaulding (5 October 2010). "Ralph Brown still lives with PNP". Jamaica Gleaner. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
10. "Past & Present Ministers Of Local Government". Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
11. "KSAC Building to be Renamed in Honour of Ralph Brown". Jamaica Information Service. 12 January 2005. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.