Passion or Profession: Prime Minister

Period: 1923–1985

Trained as a lawyer in London, Burnham formed the People's National Congress in 1955. By uniting with a smaller party, Burnham was elected prime minister in 1964 during the period of British Guiana's internal self-rule. When Guyana became an independent nation two years later, Burnham became its first prime minister. He was able to maintain leadership of the country until his death in 1985.