Pindling, Sir Lynden O.

PRIME MINISTER OF THE BAHAMAS 1930-2000

Sir Lynden O. Pindling (1930-2000) was prime minister of the Bahamas (1967-92). He was leader of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and in 1973 he led the country to independence from Great Britain.

Pindling is credited in spurring the development of international banking and investment management as a major industry and more importantly for fighting for equal rights for all Bahamians.

In the 1980s he was accused of corruption and accepting bribes from drug traffickers. Those allegations and a depressed economy (caused by his xenophobic policies towards foreigners-- the lifeblood of the country's economy) contributed to his party's defeat in 1992 by the Free National Movement (FNM) which promised freer markets and less government intervention in personal affairs.

Whatever his errors Sir Lynden O. Pindling can be considered the modern father of the Bahamas.