List of governors of Malta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Governor of Malta
Coat of arms of the governor of Malta
Style	His Excellency
Residence	Grandmaster's Palace, Valletta
Appointer	King/Queen of the United Kingdom
Precursor	Civil Commissioner of Malta
Formation	5 October 1813
First holder	Sir Thomas Maitland
Final holder	Sir Maurice Dorman
Abolished	21 September 1964
Succession	Governor-General of Malta

The governor of Malta was an important official who ruled Malta when it was a British colony. This was between 1813 and 1964. The governor's job replaced the earlier role of the civil commissioner.

When Malta became independent in 1964, the governor's role changed. It was replaced by the governor-general. The governor-general represented the British monarch (the King or Queen). The original governor, however, represented the government of the United Kingdom. Later, in 1974, Malta became a republic, and the governor-general's job was replaced by the president.

The Governor of Malta

The governor was chosen by the British King or Queen. This decision was made based on advice from the Prime Minister in Britain. The governor held a lot of power in Malta during British rule.

They were in charge of the executive council. This council was like the government of Malta before it became independent. The governor was the most powerful person in Malta at that time.

Sometimes, the governor had help from a "lieutenant-governor." This assistant helped with running the colony. For example, Sir William Hutchinson was a lieutenant-governor around 1813 to 1820.

Who Were the Governors?

Many different people served as the governor of Malta over the years. The first governor was Sir Thomas Maitland. He started his role on October 5, 1813. The last governor was Sir Maurice Dorman. His term ended on September 21, 1964, when Malta gained independence.

Here are some of the people who held this important position:

Name	Portrait	Time in Office
Sir Thomas Maitland		5 October 1813	17 January 1824
The 1st Marquess of Hastings		22 March 1824	28 November 1826
Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby		15 February 1827	May 1835
Sir Henry Bouverie		1 October 1836	1843
Richard More O'Ferrall		October 1847	13 May 1851
Sir William Reid		27 October 1851	1858
Sir John Le Marchant		1858	15 November 1864
Sir Henry Knight Storks		15 November 1864	15 May 1867
Sir Patrick Grant		15 May 1867	3 June 1872
Sir Charles van Straubenzee		3 June 1872	13 May 1878
Sir Arthur Borton		10 June 1878	April 1884
Sir Lintorn Simmons		April 1884	28 September 1888
Sir Henry Torrens		28 September 1888	1 December 1889
Sir Henry Augustus Smyth		1890	1893
Sir Arthur Lyon Fremantle		1893	6 January 1899
Sir Francis Grenfell		6 January 1899	1903
Sir Charles Clarke		1903	1907
Sir Henry Grant		1907	1909
Sir Leslie Rundle		1909	February 1915
The 3rd Baron Methuen		February 1915	May 1919
The 1st Baron Plumer		1919	1924
Sir Walter Congreve		29 June 1924	28 February 1927
Sir John Philip Du Cane		28 February 1927	1931
Sir David Campbell		June 1931	12 March 1936
Sir Charles Bonham-Carter		12 March 1936	1940
Sir William Dobbie		April 1940	May 1942
The 6th Viscount Gort		May 1942	26 September 1944
Sir Edmond Schreiber		26 September 1944	10 July 1946
Sir Francis Douglas		10 July 1946	16 September 1949
Sir Gerald Creasy		16 September 1949	3 August 1954
Sir Robert Laycock		3 August 1954	13 February 1959
Sir Guy Grantham		13 February 1959	2 July 1962
Sir Maurice Dorman		2 July 1962	21 September 1964

Flags of the Governor

The governor of Malta had different flags over time. These flags showed who was in charge and when.

• 

  Flag used from 1813 to 1875

• 

  Flag used from 1875 to 1898

• 

  Flag used from 1898 to 1943

• 

  Flag used from 1943 to 1964