Roland Theodore Symonette

Sir Roland Theodore Symonette, NH (16 December 1898 – 12 March 1980) was a Bahamian politician and the first Premier of the Bahamas after self-government was achieved in 1964. He was leader of the United Bahamian Party (UBP), which was the ruling party between 1958 and 1967.

Early life and education Roland "Pop" Symonette was one of nine children of Methodist minister Edwin Lofthouse Symonette and his wife Lavania Alethia (née Weech)

Career He was a school teacher early in his career. Later, he tried to make his way as a fisherman and a tomato farmer in Riviera Beach, Florida and then, during Prohibition, Symonette transported whiskey to the United States.

During prohibition, liquor was legal in the Bahamas but not in the United States. Bahamian citizens could legally buy and transport alcohol as long as they stayed outside US territorial waters. Symonette was among the most successful of Bahamian bootleggers. He served in the House, representing the Shirlea district until his retirement in 1977. His 53 years as a Member of Parliament is the longest record of service in the House of Assembly. After the 1967 elections, Symonette was appointed leader of the opposition in the House of Assembly of Bahamas. Personal life Symonette was married three times. He and his first wife Gertrude Nellie had one son, Basil. He and his second wife, the former Thelma Bell Clepper of Andalusia, Alabama, had a son, Robert and a daughter, Zelda. In the late 1940s, Symonette married Canadian Margaret Frances. They had one daughter, Margaret, who died of encephalitis when she was a toddler, and two sons, Roland and Brent.

Symonette's son Basil founded the Bitter End Resort in the BVI's. His second son, Bobby, served as Speaker of the House of Assembly and his youngest son Brent Symonette later became the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration.

Death and legacy Symonette died on 13 March 1980 at his home in Nassau.