Guyanese President, Prime Minister. Born to Methodist parents in British Guiana, he earned his law degree from the University of London after earlier winning the Guiana Scholarship as the colony's top student. On January 1, 1950, he helped launch the People's Progressive Party with Dr. Cheddi Jagan and became its chairman. A split with Jagan in 1955 caused the formation of the more moderate People's National Congress three years later. He became prime minister in 1964 and in two years later, oversaw the colony's emergence as an independent Guyana. In 1970, after several years of moderate rule, Burnham set up a co-operative republic which eventually caused economic stagnation. He became president on October 6, 1980 and served until his passing. His body was mummified by the Laboratory of the Lenin Mausoleum in Moscow.
Guyanese President, Prime Minister. Born to Methodist parents in British Guiana, he earned his law degree from the University of London after earlier winning the Guiana Scholarship as the colony's top student. On January 1, 1950, he helped launch the People's Progressive Party with Dr. Cheddi Jagan and became its chairman. A split with Jagan in 1955 caused the formation of the more moderate People's National Congress three years later. He became prime minister in 1964 and in two years later, oversaw the colony's emergence as an independent Guyana. In 1970, after several years of moderate rule, Burnham set up a co-operative republic which eventually caused economic stagnation. He became president on October 6, 1980 and served until his passing. His body was mummified by the Laboratory of the Lenin Mausoleum in Moscow.
Bio by: Marcus Greene
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