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Outstanding Bahamians: Roland Symonette |
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 Sir Roland Theodore Symonette
Active: December 16th 1898– March 13th 1980
Sir Roland "Pop" Symonette was born on the tiny settlement of The Current, Eleuthera. Having only six years of formal education he became one of the wealthiest in Bahamians of his time. His life-long advocacy for Education he was an autodidact and became a school teacher, later running rum to the United States during the time of Prohibition, investing his profits in Real Estates, Liquor Stores and eventually a Shipyard.
Accomplishments: In 1925 Sir Roland campaigned and successful won a seat in the House of Assembly for the district of Shirlea, a seat he occupied until his retirement in 1977. His 52 years as Member of Parliament is recorded as the longest served in the Bahamas House of Assembly.
When the country achieved internal self-government in 1964, he became the first Premier of The Bahamas after serving as head of Government in the Bahamas from 1955 to 1964 and was Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1959.
His youngest son Brent Symonette is the currently the Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas and Minister of Foreign Affairs, under the Free National Movement Government, led by Hubert Alexander Ingraham.
Symonette's portrait appears on the Bahamian $50 dollar note.
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