Rosie Douglas

Roosevelt ("Rosie") Bernard Douglas (15 October 1941 – 1 October 2000), was a Dominican politician. In 2000 he became the fifth prime minister of the Caribbean island, holding the office for eight months, from 3 February 2000 until his sudden death later that year at the age of 58.^[1]

Biography

Rosie Douglas was the son of a wealthy businessman and coconut farmer who named his boys after world statesmen^[2] (he had brothers named Eisenhower and Adenauer).^[3] He was schooled in Dominica's capital, Roseau, before applying to study in Canada.^[3]

While attending university in Canada, Douglas garnered fame as being one of the instigators of the Sir George Williams Computer Riot of 1969 (aka Concordia Computer Riot). He led an anti-racism sit-in at Sir George Williams University, Montreal, which resulted in the occupation of the computer centre and its destruction when police broke up the protest. Douglas was charged with arson and served 18 months in prison before being deported, when he vowed that he would only return as "prime minister of my own country".^[3]

Douglas became an MP in 1985, He became leader of the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) in 1992, after the death of his brother Michael Douglas.^[3]

Rosie Douglas appealed during his political career to the cause of the socialist radical reformers. At the parliamentary elections on 31 January 2000 he led the DLP to victory against the governing United Workers' Party of Prime Minister Edison James.^[4] Douglas formed a coalition with the moderate Dominica Freedom Party and began office on 3 February 2000.

After only eight months in the office Douglas was found on 1 October 2000 dead in his house in Portsmouth.^[5] He had returned only one day before from state visits to Australia, Taiwan, Canada and Jamaica.

Pierre Charles was named as his successor, and he took oath soon later. But, he followed his predecessor's footsteps to die in office in January 2004.

See also

• History of Dominica

References

1. "Late Prime Minister of Dominica Rosie Douglas", Cakafete, 3 October 2000.
2. "Rosie Douglas, 58, Radical Turned Leader of Dominica", New York Times, 2 October 2000.
3. Polly Pattullo, "Rosie Douglas" (obituary), The Guardian, 5 October 2000.
4. "Dominica PM dies - Rosie Douglas' death leaves Region in shock", The Jamaica Gleaner, 2 October 2000.
5. "News - PM Rosie Douglas dies". Ellsworth Carter, "Dominica Leader Douglas Dies", Mathaba.net.

External links

• Polly Pattullo, "Rosie Douglas" (obituary), The Guardian, 5 October 2000.
• "Rosie Douglas, 58, Radical Turned Leader of Dominica", New York Times, 2 October 2000.
• Irving Andre, "The Legacy of Rosie Douglas", Dominica Academy.
• "Roosevelt Bernard Douglas 1941 - 2000", The Douglas Archives - A collection of historical and genealogical records.