Charles Duncan O'Neal, M.D.

Charles Duncan O'Neal (30 November 1879 – November 1936)[1] was a Barbados physician and political figure. He founded the radical Democratic League in 1924.

O'Neal was born in St Lucy, Barbados. He was schooled at Harrison College and in 1899 went to study medicine at Edinburgh University, graduating with am MB ChB on 23 July 1904.[1]

Legacy

One of the two main bridges over the Careenage in the capital-city Bridgetown are named the Charles Duncan O'Neal Bridge.

By an act of Parliament in 1998, O'Neal was named as one of the ten National Heroes of Barbados. He is currently on the $10 Barbados banknote.

Fondly remembered for laying the foundation of social reform in Barbados, Charles Duncan O'Neal dedicated much of his life to working for the poor and to agitating against the deep-seated racism inherent in Barbados during the 1920's and 1930's.

He was considered to be of a high social and professional 'status' within the island's society, as he was a medical doctor of the 'privileged' class.

Duncan O'Neal's stance on social reform was the first time in the island's history that a university-educated professional had aligned themselves with what was considered to be the 'lower' classes of society.

Charles O'Neal was also the first black activist of the time to campaign for free education and dental care for children, improved housing, and the abolition of the Located Labourers' System and the Masters and Servants Act.

• http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/errol-w-barrow-barba...
• https://www.totallybarbados.com/barbados/About_Barbados/Local_Infor...
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Duncan_O%27Neal
• http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/80614/past-video-charles-...
• http://abajantourgirlexploringbarbados.blogspot.com/2010/06/barbado...
• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: May 2 2016, 21:07:54 UTC