13 Remarkable Sierra Leone Icons
Meet people whose inspiring stories shaped the history of Sierra Leone
Banana IslandSierra Leone National Museum
Meet Sierra Leone icons
This exhibit showcases the remarkable stories of people who have played significant roles in shaping the history of Sierra Leone and have became an integral part of the African and African diaspora narrative.
[1792] John Kizell: Founding Settler of Freetown
Likely born in Sherbro region of Sierra Leone. Captured as a boy, enslaved and taken to Charleston, South Carolina. Joined the British in the American Revolutionary War. Settled with Black Loyalists in Nova Scotia. Returned to Sierra Leone with 1196 black settlers from America.
[1841] Sengbeh Pieh: Amistad Revolutionary
Illegally captured by slavers. Shipped from Gallinas region to Cuba, he and others unshackled themselves and armed with cane knives took the ship. Tried for mutiny and the killing of shipmen. Prevailed in the famous United States v. The Amistad case at the U.S. Supreme Court.
[1880] Madam Yoko: Paramount Chief of the Kpaa Mende
Widely known as 'Queen of Senehun' her father Njiakundohun had led a large migration of Mendes west into SierraLeone's interior. A clever diplomat and strong ally to the colonial administration she was among chiefs who tried to peacefully end resistance to the 1898 Hut Tax War.
[1898] Chief Bai Bureh: Temne Chief & Resistance Leader
Taking his name when chosen in 1887 by Temne elders of Kasseh Chiefdom to become ruler, he led a cross-section of armed resistance against the imposed Hut Tax. Considered the Colonial Government's principal opponent to the tax, he escaped their various attempts to capture him.
[1923] Adelaide Casely-Hayford: Resolute Educationist
Left Freetown to study in Europe receiving Junior College Certificate age 14, returned 1892. By 1919 was President of Young Women's Christian Association later President of Universal Negro Improvement Association women's branch. 1923,opened Technical & Industrial School for Girls.
[1938] Lati Hyde-Forster: 1st Woman to Graduate from FBC
Graduate of Fourah Bay College the oldest westernized college in Sub-Saharan Africa. First African Principal of Annie Walsh Memorial School, oldest secondary school for girls in Sierra Leone which she had attended in an era that ushered in milestones for African Women Academics.
[1940] Lt. John Henry Smythe: Bombing Navigator in WWII
A Sergeant in the British Colonial Force in Sierra Leone, became Royal Air Force Navigator joining the 619 Bomber Squadron. Flew 22 ally missions before his plane was shot down in 1943 and he was held a POW. Later became a Barrister, and Sierra Leone's Solicitor General in 1961.
[1947] Dr. McCormack Charles Farrell "M.C.F" Easmon: Curator
A descendant of African American 1792 Settlers in Sierra Leone, his contributions to society went far beyond the medical field. Served in WW I. In 1947 became first Chair of the Monuments and Relics Commission. First Curator of the Sierra Leone National Museum when it opened.
[1962] Madam Ella Koblo Gulama: Championed Women's Movements
Paramount Chief. First female elected into Moyamba District Council and the Sierra Leone House of Representatives. Transformative role in women's movements. In 1960 became President of the Federation of Women’s Organizations. First West African woman to hold a cabinet position.
Reflections by Dr. Francis Kabia
Son of Madam Ella Koblo Gulama shares his perspectives of this remarkable Icon of Sierra Leone
[1966] Constance Agatha Cummings-John: 1st Woman Mayor
Attended Whitelands College in England, joined the West African Students’ Union and League of Coloured People. In the 1930s joined Wallace-Johnson, Horton and others to form the anticolonial West African Youth League. Founded women's rights group- Sierra Leone Women’s Movement.
[1970] Dr. Davidson Nicol: Medical Researcher & Diplomat
1st black African elected a Fellow of Cambridge college. 1st to analyse breakdown of insulin in humans- a breakthrough discovery for treatment of diabetes. Advocate for organization of African Unity. Became President of the U.N Security Council, in 1972, Under-Secretary-General.
UN Security Council
In 1970, Dr. Davidson Nicol served as the President of the UN Security Council, 9 years after Sierra Leone gained its independence in 1961.
[2003] Dr. Arthur Abraham: Mende Historian
Life's work uncovering the ancient history of Sierra Leone. In 2003 authored a Precolonial history of the Mende of Sierra Leone. While tenured at Virginia State University consulted on films Amistad 1998 & Blood Diamonds 2005,helping to shape perceptions around events portrayed.
[2014] Dr. Sheik Umar Khan: Physician, Researcher & Hero
Born 1975 in the Northern Province. Began his career as a Tropical Medicine & Infectious Disease Physician. Treated hundreds of Ebola patients early in the 2014 outbreak despite strained resources. Became infected and sadly died. His empathy and courage continue to inspire many.
Sir Milton Margai, opened the doors of the Sierra Leone National Museum in 1957, four years before Sierra Leone officially gained its independence in 1961. He became the first Prime Minister. One of the Museum's founders, Dr. M.C.F. Easmon, who published "Eminent Sierra Leoneans in the Nineteenth Century" during the year of independence, became its first Curator. The Museum is located at the junction of Siaka Stevens, named after the first President of Sierra Leone, President Siaka Stevens.
Sierra Leone Museum (1957)Sierra Leone National Museum
Sierra Leone Society
The Sierra Leone Society laid the foundation for the Sierra Leone Museum. Its contributors included some of Sierra Leone's finest historians and scholars from all walks of life. The story of Sierra Leone continues to be told through the lives of all Sierra Leoneans.
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