Brian Burland
Author 
Born April 23, 1931

Brian Burland was the first Bermudian to leave his mark on the literary world as a novelist. He was the author of eight novels that were praised on both sides of the Atlantic and a much-loved children's book St. Nicholas and the Tub.

Bermuda almost always figured his novels, which occasionally ruffled feathers locally.  His novels dealt with war—which he opposed—colonialism, family strife and race. The language was salty, the Bermudian dialect pitch perfect and the sex scenes explicit. He won admiration and respect for his honest portrayal of a segregated Bermuda.

During the years he was most active as writer, Burland lived outside Bermuda, mainly in Essex, Connecticut. His accomplishments were largely unrecognised in Bermuda, although that began to change in his later years.

Burland is featured in the latest version of the Department of Culture’s ‘Gold Bermudians' series, which was released last month.

Parliament passes women’s voting bill
April 21, 1944

By a 19-14 majority, Parliament approved a bill giving women the right to vote. It was victory at last for Bermuda’s suffragettes, led by the formidable Gladys Misick Morrell, who had been fighting for change for more than two decades. 

Future government leader Sir Henry Tucker piloted the bill in the House, but it was Black MP Dr Eustace Cann who was credited with helping to turn the tide, thereby ensuring its passage.

Cann announced that he had come to Parliament prepared to vote against the bill but changed his mind. Other MPs followed suit. 

 Cann broke ranks with his fellow Black MPs who were opposed to women’s suffrage because it did not advance the cause of universal suffrage. 

While The Royal Gazette said the bill was the first “broad extension” of the Island’s franchise system in more than 100 years, it did not usher in significant political change. It gave women the right to vote on the same basis as men, meaning they had to be property owners.  

 Universal suffrage would take another 20 years to achieve. 

Suffragette leader Gladys Misick Morrell.