NATIONAL HEROES OF ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
PRINCE KLAAS
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ebellion in 1736, which sought to free all slaves on the island. The elaborate plan was not successful, as information about the plot and its ringleaders was leaked. Prince Klaas, who was said to have been of royal heritage, acknowledged the allegations against him and he and his comrades were executed in a brutal manner. The bravery of this National Hero is commemorated with a monument which stands on Independence Drive in St. John’s.
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DAME GEORGIANA “NELLIE” ROBINSON
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n our 25th Anniversary of Independence, November 1st 2006, Miss Nellie Robinson was posthumously created Dame Companion of The Most Exalted Order of National Hero (DNH) for services to education. The Nation’s only female hero was born in 1880 and spent her earlier days living on Newgate Street, before travelling to the USA to receive an education. She returned to Antigua in 1894 and continued her education at Coke College on East Street. Nellie began her career as an educator at 18 years old, teaching her siblings and other children. She went on to found the TOR Memorial High School, which still educates the Nation today. The school was very advanced for its time, providing equal access for all children to attend secondary school and it was the only co-educational school of its day. Ms Robinson taught and continued to resist the official system for 57 years, when she retired aged 75 as Principal of the school.
SIR GEORGE HERBERT WALTER
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ir George served as the second premier of Antigua & Barbuda from 1972-76. He was also the head of the Progressive Labour Movement (PLM) and was active in the trade union and politics of Antigua & Barbuda for over 40 years. The former premier was knighted as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) in the 2000-millennium honours. In 2006, the former Airport Road was renamed the Sir George H. Walter Highway, as a permanent memory to his life’s work in the development of the nation. In 2008 he was named Knight of the Most Exalted Order of National Hero (KNH).