David George Findlay
Surinamese politician, editor, and writer
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David George Findlay (27 March 1913 – 6 April 1982) was a Surinamese politician, editor, and writer. He was the owner and chief editor of the newspaper De West.
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27 March 1913
David George Findlay | |
|---|---|
David George Findlay (1948) | |
| Member of the Estates of Suriname | |
| In office 1946 – 30 December 1954 | |
| In office 10 May 1955 – 1958 | |
| In office 1963–1969 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David George Albert Findlay 27 March 1913 |
| Died | 6 April 1982 (aged 69) Paramaribo, Suriname |
| Party | NPS (1946-1954) SDP (1955-1969) |
| Occupation | politician, editor, and writer |
Biography
Findlay was born on 27 March 1913 in Paramaribo as David George Albert Findlay. He left for the Netherlands Antilles to work for Royal Dutch Shell,[1] and later became a teacher at the MULO in Aruba.[2]
William Kraan, owner of De West persuaded Findlay to return to Suriname, and become a newspaper editor.[2] Findlay returned in September 1943.[3] In 1947, Kraan retired, and Findlay bought the newspaper.[2]
Politics
Findlay was first elected to the Estates of Suriname in 1946.[1] In 1950, Lou Lichtveld had fired doctor Henk van Ommeren over alleged irregularities which were later proven false.[4] Findlay demanded the resignation of Lichtveld.[5] The matter cumulated in the downfall of the government in 1951.[4]
After a schism in the National Party of Suriname (NPS), Findlay left the NPS, and founded the Surinamese Democratic Party (SDP). In 1955, he was re-elected as part of the Unity Front.[6] In 1958, the National Party of Suriname made a comeback,[7] and Findlay had to wait until 1963 to be re-elected. In 1969, he retired from politics.[1]
Coup d'etat
On 25 February 1980, Dési Bouterse led a coup d'état to overthrow the government of Henck Arron.[8] During the coup, a hand grenade was thrown into the offices of De West, and the building was under fire. Fortunately the fighting only caused minor damage, but it frightened Findlay.[9] Later, the paper was forced to close.[10]
Death
Findlay died on 6 April 1982 in Paramaribo at the age of 69.[8]