Sir Lynden O. Pindling (1930-2000) was prime minister of the Bahamas
(1967-92). He was leader of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and in 1973 he led the
country to independence from Great Britain. Pindling is credited in spurring the
development of international banking and investment management as a major industry and
more importantly for fighting for equal rights for all Bahamians. In the 1980s he was accused
of corruption and accepting bribes from drug traffickers. Those allegations and a
depressed economy (caused by his xenophobic policies towards foreigners--the lifeblood of
the country) contributed to his party's defeat in 1992 by the Free National Movement (FNM)
which promised freer markets and less government intervention in personal affairs.
Whatever his errors Sir Lynden O. Pindling can be considered the modern father of the
Bahamas.
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