Samuel Sharpe

Who was Samuel Sharpe?

Samuel "Sam" Sharpe, or Sharp, National Hero of Jamaica, was the slave leader behind the widespread Jamaican Baptist War slave rebellion of 1831.

Samuel Sharpe was born in the parish of St James. Although he was a slave most of his life, he was allowed to become well-educated. Because of his education, he was respected by other slaves, and he became a well-known preacher and leader. Sharpe was a deacon at the Burchell Baptist Church in Montego Bay, whose pastor was Rev. Thomas Burchell. Sharpe spent most of his time travelling to different parishes in Jamaica, educating the slaves about Christianity and freedom.