st. john was born in the parish of christ church and attended the christ church foundation school. he was professionally trained as a lawyer at the university college london. in 1959, before the island became independent from the united kingdom, st. john joined the barbados labour party, and after independence in 1966, he was elected to the barbados house of assembly. he served as a member of the upper chamber between 1971 and 1976 as a member of the opposition party.