List of colonial governors and administrators of Antigua facts for kids
The island nation of Antigua and Barbuda had special leaders called viceroys for many years. These leaders represented the British King or Queen. They were in charge from when the British first settled Antigua in 1632 until the country became independent in 1981.
For a long time, between 1671 and 1816, Antigua was part of a bigger group of islands called the British Leeward Islands. The main leader for all these islands, the Governor, was based in Antigua.
In 1816, the Leeward Islands group was split up. Antigua then had its own Governor. This Governor also looked after Barbuda and Montserrat. Later, in 1833, the British Leeward Islands group was put back together. The Governor of Antigua once again represented the monarch for all these islands. This continued until 1872. At that point, the Governor became the leader of a new, combined Leeward Islands colony.
The combined Leeward Islands colony ended in 1956. However, the role of Governor of the Leeward Islands continued until the end of 1959. Antigua was then managed by an Administrator. This Administrator reported to the Governor of the Leeward Islands until 1960. In 1967, Antigua became an "associated state." This meant it had more control over its own affairs. At this time, the Administrator's title was changed to Governor.
Contents
Early Governors of Antigua (1632–1671)
These were the first leaders of Antigua when it was a separate colony.
- Sir Thomas Warner, 1632–1635
- Edward Warner, 1635–1639
- Rowland Thompson, 1639–1640
- Henry Ashton, 1640–1652
- Christopher Keynell, 1652–1660
- John Bunckley, 1661–1664
- Robert Carden, 1665–November 1666
- Robert le Fichot des Friches, sieur de Clodoré, November 1666, (French took control)
- Quest, November 1666–9 November 1666, (French took control)
- Daniel Fitche (or Fish), 1666–1667?
- Henry Willoughby, 1667–1670
- Samuel Winthrop, 1668–1671 (He was the oldest son of John Winthrop, who was a Governor of Massachusetts.)
Lieutenant Governors of Antigua (1671–1747)
In 1671, Antigua became part of the new British Leeward Islands colony. The main Governor for all these islands stayed in Antigua. To help manage daily life on Antigua, a Lieutenant Governor was appointed.
- Philip Warner, 1671–1675
- Rowland Williams, 1675–1678, first time
- James Vaughan, 1678–1680
- Valentine Russell, 1680–1682
- Paul Lee, 1682–1683
- Edward Powell, 1683–1688
- Rowland Williams, 1689–1692, second time
- John Parry, 1692
- No one in charge, 1692–1698
- John Yeamans, 1698–1711
- John Hamilton, 1709
- Edward Byam, 1711–December 1741
- Nathaniel Crump, 1735
- George Lucas, 1742–1743
- Josiah Martin, 1743–1748
No Separate Governor (1747–1816)
From 1747 to 1816, Antigua did not have its own separate Governor. It was managed as part of the larger British Leeward Islands colony.
Governors of Antigua (1816–1872)
In 1816, the British Leeward Islands group was broken up. A new Governor was then appointed just for Antigua.
- George William Ramsay, 1816–1819
- Sir Benjamin d'Urban, 1819–1826
- Sir Patrick Ross, 1826–1832
- Evan John Murray MacGregor, 1832–1833, temporarily in charge
From 1833, the Governor of Antigua also became the main representative for the entire British Leeward Islands colony again.
- Evan John Murray MacGregor, 1833–1836, continued, temporarily in charge until 1834
- Sir William MacBean George Colebrooke, 1837–1842
- Sir Charles Augustus Fitzroy, 1842–1846
- James Macaulay Higginson, 1847–1850
- Robert James Mackintosh, 1850–1855
- Ker Baillie Hamilton, 1855–1863
- Sir Stephen John Hill, 1863–1868
- Sir Benjamin Chilley Campbell Pine, 1868–1872
In 1872, the Governor of Antigua took on the role of Governor of the Leeward Islands.
Administrators of Antigua (1936–1966)
These leaders were called Administrators. They managed Antigua's government during this period.
- Hubert Eugène Bader, 1936
- James Dundas Harford, 1936–1941
- Herbert Boon, 1941–1944
- F. S. Harcourt, 1944–1946
- Leslie Stuart Greening, 1946–1947
- Richard St. John Ormerod Wayne, 1947–1954
- Alec Lovelace, 1954–1958
- Ian Turbott, 1958–1964
- David James Gardiner Rose, 1964–1966
Governors of Antigua (1967–1981)
In 1967, Antigua became an "Associated State." This meant it had more control over its own government, but Britain still handled defense and foreign affairs. The leader was again called a Governor.
- Sir Wilfred Jacobs, 1967–1981
The rules for the Governor of the Associated State of Antigua were clear. The British King or Queen chose the Governor. The Governor served as long as the monarch wished. Before starting, the appointed person had to take special promises called oaths. If the Governor was away or couldn't do their job, the monarch could choose someone else to temporarily take over. This temporary person also had to take the oaths.
In 1981, the associated state of Antigua became a fully independent country, now known as Antigua and Barbuda. After independence, the main representative of the monarch became the Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda.
See also
