H. D. Shillingford
Howell Donald Shillingford, CBE (10 July 1888 – 11 October 1975) was a Dominican politician, planter and businessman.
H. D. Shillingford | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | Howell Donald Shillingford 10 July 1888 Colihaut, Dominica |
| Died | 11 October 1975 Roseau, Dominica |
| Relations |
|
| Parent | Thomas Howard Shillingford |
| Occupation |
|
Early life
Howell Donald Shillingford was born on 10 July 1888 in Colihaut, Dominica.[1] His father Thomas Howard Shillingford was a planter[2] and businessman who had set up shops in each village along the west coast from Layou to Dublanc, being the first to do so.[3][4] His first cousin was businessman A. C. Shillingford. He attended Dominica Grammar School and Morne Bruce Agricultural School both located in Roseau.[1]
Career
Shillingford played a significant role in Dominica’s political devolution from British colonial rule to a representative government. He was a key advocate for devolution and participated actively in the early political development of the island. In addition to his political contributions, he helped spearhead the development of Dominica’s lime juice and banana industries, which became important sectors of the island’s economy. He was a founding member of the Union Club and one of the signatories of Dominica’s first political manifesto in 1936. In 1927, he co-founded the Dominica Taxpayers Reform Association to advocate for greater economic equity and political accountability. His philanthropic work included donating land for the construction of the Colihaut Primary School and its playground, and funding annual scholarships for underprivileged children to attend secondary school. He was recognised for his public service and contributions to Dominica with the award of Commander of the British Empire (CBE) by the British Government in 1949.[5][6][7][8][9][10][2][4]
| Date | Role |
|---|---|
| 1925–1928: | Elected member for the electoral district of Saint Joseph, Saint Peter, Saint John, and Saint Andrew, Legislative Council |
| 1928–1931: | Elected member, Legislative Council |
| 1931–1934 | Elected member, Legislative Council |
| 1932: | Delegate and co-organizer of the Dominica Conference |
| 1934–1937: | Elected member, Legislative Council |
| c. 1944–1947: | Elected member for the northern electoral district, Legislative Council |
| 1947–1951: | Nominated member, Legislative Council |
| 1951–1954: | Elected member for the north-western district, Legislative Council |
| 1954–1957: | Elected member, Legislative Council |
| 1957–1961: | Elected member, Legislative Council |
| 1960: | Appointed Minister of Trade and Production, Legislative Council |
| 1961–1965: | Elected member, Legislative Council; served as a member of the Opposition |
| 1966: | Retired from politics |
References
- ^ a b c "Domnitjen Magazine Profile: Howell Shillingford". domnitjen.com. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ^ a b Admin (22 July 2024). "A review of Margaret D. Rouse-Jones and Estelle M. Appiah's biography of George James Christian 'Returned Exile'". Dominica News Online. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ Hlousek, Petr. "Rum by Macoucherie Estates / Shillingford Estates Ltd. - Dominica". Peter's Rum Labels. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
- ^ a b Honeychurch, Lennox (2007). A to Z of Dominica Heritage. Macmillan Caribbean (published 30 June 2007). pp. Shillingford (E). ISBN 978-0333946251. Archived from the original on 26 November 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- ^ "Domnitjen Magazine Profile: Howell Shillingford". domnitjen.com. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
- ^ "The centuries-old Macoucherie Estate". The Sun. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ "Astaphanism and Dominican politics". TheDominican.net. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ Watkins, Frederick Henry (1924). Handbook of the Leeward Islands. London: West India Committee.
- ^ Charles, Mary Eugenia (25 October 1975). "A tribute to H. D. Shillingford". The New Chronicle.
- ^ Stevens, W. S. (24 October 1975). "A Tribute to Howell Shillingford, CBE". The Star Newspaper. Roseau, Dominica.