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William Alexander Bustamante, b. Feb. 24, 1884, d. Aug. 6, 1977, was the first prime minister of independent Jamaica. A labor organizer in the 1930s, he founded the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union, Jamaica's largest union. Subsequently he formed (1943) the moderate Jamaica Labour party to counteract the more radical People's National party of Norman Manley. He was chief minister (1953-55) and, becoming prime minister in 1962, presided over Jamaica's acquisition (August 1962) of independence. In office until 1967, he initiated extensive public works programs and land reform.