John Cremona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John J. Cremona
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| Chief Justice of Malta | |
| In office 1971–1981 |
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| Prime Minister | Dom Mintoff |
| Preceded by | Anthony Mamo |
| Succeeded by | Carmelo Schembri |
| Judge of the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Malta |
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| In office 1965–1992 |
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| Preceded by | first judge from Malta |
| Succeeded by | Giuseppe Mifsud Bonnici |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 January 1918 Xagħra, Gozo |
| Died | 24 December 2020 (aged 102) |
| Nationality |  Malta |
| Alma mater | Trieste, Malta, London, Rome Sapienza |
John Joseph Cremona was a famous Maltese lawyer and poet. He was born on January 6, 1918, and passed away on December 24, 2020, at the age of 102.
He played a very important role when Malta became an independent country. He was the Attorney General of Malta during the independence talks in 1964. He also helped write the Constitution of Malta, which is the main set of laws for the country.
Later, he became the chief justice of Malta, serving from 1971 to 1981. This is the highest judge in the country. At the same time, he was Malta's first judge at the European Court of Human Rights from 1965 to 1992. This court helps protect human rights across Europe. John J. Cremona was also known for his poetry, which he wrote in Italian, English, and Maltese.
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Early Life and Education
John J. Cremona was born in Xagħra, a town on the island of Gozo, Malta. He loved learning and earned four different doctorate degrees. These degrees were in law and literature from universities in Trieste, Malta, London, and Rome.
He also did special research in constitutional law. This is the study of how a country's main laws are made and used. He studied at famous places like the London School of Economics.
A Career in Law
In 1943, John J. Cremona became a lawyer in Malta. He then started teaching law at the University of Malta in 1948. By 1959, he became a Professor, and in 1961, he led the law department.
From 1957 to 1964, he was the Attorney General of Malta. This means he was the chief legal advisor to the government. In 1965, he took on three big jobs at once: a judge in Malta's highest courts, Vice-President of the Court of Appeals, and Vice-President of the Constitutional Court.
His most important role in Malta was serving as the chief justice of Malta from 1971 to 1981.
European Court of Human Rights
After Malta joined the Council of Europe in 1965, John J. Cremona became Malta's first judge at the European Court of Human Rights. He served there for a long time, from 1965 to 1992. He even became the court's Vice-President from 1986 to 1992. This court is very important for making sure human rights are protected in many European countries.
Public Service
John J. Cremona helped Malta gain more control over its own affairs before it became fully independent. He was part of important councils that helped create local laws between 1959 and 1964.
He was one of the main people who wrote the 1964 Constitution of Malta. This document set up Malta as an independent nation. He also represented the Maltese government at the Malta Independence Conference in London in 1963.
After Malta became independent, Cremona believed that Malta should have its own system of awards and honours. Before this, Maltese citizens could only receive awards from the British Crown. He helped create the National Medal of Merit in 1967. The first awards were given out on Malta's Independence Day in 1968. He also helped set up the Xirka Ġieħ ir-Repubblika, another important Maltese honour.
In 1986, he became the chairman of a United Nations committee. This committee worked to stop racial discrimination around the world.
Poetry
John J. Cremona was also a talented poet. In the 1960s, he was the Vice President of the International Poetry Society. His poems were recognized by famous people. For example, Queen Elizabeth II read one of his poems in 1992 during a special ceremony in Valletta.
His work was included in an anthology called Commonwealth Poems of Today in 1967. A famous composer named Charles Camilleri even used Cremona's poems for a musical piece called the War Cantata in 2002.
Honours and Awards
John J. Cremona received many special awards and honours throughout his life. He was a Companion of the National Order of Merit (Malta), which is a high honour in Malta. He also received awards from other countries and organizations, including:
- Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
- Knight of the Most Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem (United Kingdom)
- Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur (France)
- Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great (Vatican)
- Knight Grand Cross of the Constantinian Order
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit (Italy)
He was also a fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He served as President of the Alliance Française in Malta and was a patron of the St Andrew Society (Malta).
Personal Life
John J. Cremona married Beatrice Crispo Barbaro in 1949. They had two daughters and one son. Beatrice passed away in 2001.
Death
John J. Cremona passed away on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2020. He was 102 years old.
