Marcus Garvey

Marcus Mosiah Garvey (August 17, 1887 – June 10, 1940) was a publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, crusader for black nationalism and founder of the UNIA-ACL. He was born in Jamaica. Garvey is best remembered as a champion of the "back-to-Africa" movement, which was interpreted as encouraging people of African ancestry to return to their ancestral homeland. He is also recognized as the most important prophet of the "back-to-Africa" Rastafari movement. Garvey said he wanted those of African ancestry to "redeem" Africa, and for the European colonial powers to leave it. Although Garvey was raised Methodist, he became Greek Orthodox.

Early life

Garvey was born in Saint Ann's Bay August 17, 1887 , the capital of the parish of Saint Ann, Jamaica, where he attended grammar school. He also received private instruction from his godfather Alfred Burrowes, who ran a printery. At 14, Garvey was apprenticed to Burrowes to learn the printing trade.

Related Topics:
Saint Ann's Bay - Saint Ann, Jamaica

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Garvey inherited a love of books from his father, a skilled mason who had a private library. This was further encouraged during his apprenticeship with Burrowes, where he came into contact with people who stopped at the printery to discuss politics and social affairs.

Related Topics:
Mason - Library

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Around 1906 Garvey left St. Ann's Bay for Kingston in search of brighter prospects. He worked at first with an uncle, then moved elsewhere, where he worked as a printing compositor. By 1907 he had become a skilled printer and foreman. His first experience in organized labor came in late 1908 when printers, represented by the Typographical Union, went on strike for better wages. Garvey joined the strike in spite of being offered increased wages. The strike was unsuccessful and Garvey lost his job. He was blacklisted from private industry but found employment at the Government Printing Office.

Related Topics:
1906 - Kingston - 1907 - Organized labor - 1908

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