List of colonial governors of the Gambia facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Governor of the Gambia

Gambia Colony and Protectorate
Style	His Excellency
Member of	Executive Council, Legislative Council
Reports to	Secretary of State for the Colonies
Formation	1843, 1901
First holder	Henry Froude Seagram
Final holder	John Paul
Abolished	1866, 1965
Deputy	Colonial Secretary of the Gambia

This article lists the colonial governors and administrators in The Gambia. These were the British officials who governed the country when it was a colony. The story begins in 1816, when the British first settled on St Mary's Island (now Banjul Island). It continues until 1965, when The Gambia became an independent country from the United Kingdom.

The main leader of the British settlement on St Mary's Island was first called the Commandant. In 1821, The Gambia became a British colony, but it was part of Sierra Leone. Later, in 1829, a Lieutenant Governor was appointed, who reported to the Governor of Sierra Leone.

From 1843 to 1866, The Gambia had its own Governor, separate from Sierra Leone. But in 1866, it became part of Sierra Leone again, and an Administrator was put in charge. Finally, in 1901, an independent Governor was appointed once more. This Governor also acted as the Commander-in-Chief of the colony.

The Gambia gained its independence in 1965. After that, the British Queen's representative in The Gambia was called the Governor-General of the Gambia. This continued until 1970, when The Gambia became a republic and no longer had the Queen as its head of state.

Early British Presence (Before 1816)
Commandants of St Mary's Island (1816–1830)
Lieutenant Governors of The Gambia (1830–1843)
Governors of The Gambia (1843–1866)
Administrators of The Gambia (1866–1901)
Governors of The Gambia (1901–1965)
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Early British Presence (Before 1816)

Before 1816, the British only had a small presence in The Gambia. Their main spot was Kunta Kinteh Island, which was known as James Island back then.

Commandants of St Mary's Island (1816–1830)

This period saw the first British leaders on St Mary's Island. They were called Commandants.

Sir Alexander Grant was the first British colonial administrator in The Gambia since 1783. He helped lease St Mary's Island in 1816 and founded the town of Bathurst (now Banjul). He also bought MacCarthy Island in 1823 and started Georgetown (now Janjanbureh).
Alexander Findlay took over in 1826. He set up a group to advise on trade.
William Hutton was in charge for a short time in 1829. He led an expedition down the Gambia River.
James Jackson followed Hutton. He signed a secret treaty about runaway slaves, but it was later cancelled by the British government.

Lieutenant Governors of The Gambia (1830–1843)

During this time, the leaders were called Lieutenant Governors and reported to the Governor of Sierra Leone. Queen Victoria began her long reign in 1837.

Alexander Findlay briefly returned as Lieutenant Governor in 1830 before moving to Sierra Leone.
George Rendall served for a long time, from 1830 to 1837. He started a department for freed Africans. There was also a conflict called the Barra War during his time. He sadly died in office from yellow fever.
Anthony Clogstoun and Sir William Mackie served briefly after Rendall. Mackie also died in office.
Thomas Lewis Ingram acted as Lieutenant Governor twice. He was also the Colonial Secretary.
Sir Henry Vere Huntley was Lieutenant Governor from 1840 to 1841. He helped gain more land for the British in Kombo.

Governors of The Gambia (1843–1866)

For this period, The Gambia had its own Governor, separate from Sierra Leone, under Queen Victoria.

Henry Froude Seagram was the first Governor of The Gambia as a separate colony in 1843, but he soon moved to Sierra Leone.
Thomas Lewis Ingram acted as Governor again after Seagram left.
Charles Fitzgerald was Governor from 1844 to 1847. He also helped expand British territory in Kombo.
Richard Graves MacDonnell served from 1847 to 1852.
Daniel Robertson acted as Governor multiple times. He was also the Colonial Secretary for a long period.
Luke Smythe O'Connor was Governor from 1852 to 1859. During his time, more land was gained from Kombo. He also helped end the Soninke-Marabout War.
George Abbas Kooli D'Arcy was Governor from 1859 to 1866. During his time, a religious leader named Ma Bah began attacks in Baddibu.

Administrators of The Gambia (1866–1901)

From 1866, The Gambia was again linked to Sierra Leone, and its leaders were called Administrators. Queen Victoria continued to reign.

George Abbas Kooli D'Arcy continued as Administrator for a short time.
Charles George Edward Patey served from 1866 to 1869.
Alexander Bravo was an Acting Administrator during a serious cholera outbreak in 1869. There were talks about giving The Gambia to France, but people in Britain and The Gambia opposed it, so the idea was dropped.
Many other administrators served for shorter periods, including Henry Anton, Thomas F. Callaghan, Henry William John Fowler, and Henry T. M. Cooper. Cooper died in office.
Cornelius Hendricksen Kortright served from 1873 to 1875.
Samuel Rowe briefly served in 1875 but was quickly reassigned.
Valesius Skipton Gouldsbury had a long term from 1877 to 1884. During his time, the first African member, J. D. Richards, was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1883.
Cornelius Alfred Moloney and James Shaw Hay served in the mid-1880s.
Gilbert Thomas Carter acted as Administrator multiple times. In 1888, The Gambia became a separate colony again, no longer linked to Sierra Leone. The border with Senegal was set in 1889.
Robert Baxter Llewelyn had a long term from 1891 to 1900. During his time, the first Travelling Commissioners were appointed to help govern the colony.
Horace Major Brandford Griffith acted as Administrator when two Travelling Commissioners were killed in 1900.
Sir George Chardin Denton briefly served as Administrator before becoming the first Governor of the new, independent colony in 1901.

Governors of The Gambia (1901–1965)

From 1901 until independence, the leaders were again called Governors. This period saw the reigns of Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII, George VI, and Elizabeth II.

Sir George Chardin Denton was Governor from 1901 to 1911. He oversaw the establishment of the Gambia Company (a military unit) and the appointment of the first permanent African member to the Legislative Council.
Sir Henry Galway served from 1911 to 1914.
Sir Edward John Cameron was Governor during World War I (1914-1920).
Sir Cecil Hamilton Armitage served from 1921 to 1927. During his time, the French franc was no longer used as currency, and the Armitage School was opened.
Sir John Middleton and Sir Edward Brandis Denham served in the late 1920s. The Bathurst Trade Union was formed in 1929 and organized a successful strike.
Sir Richmond Palmer was Governor from 1930 to 1933. The Bathurst Urban District Council was formed, and the BTU became the first officially registered trade union in Africa.
Sir Arthur Richards served from 1934 to 1936. He established the Bathurst Advisory Town Council.
Sir Thomas Southorn was Governor during the early part of World War II (1936-1942).
Sir Hilary Blood served from 1942 to 1946, during the later part of World War II. He helped modernize Bathurst's water and sewage systems and improved the port. He also created the 1947 Constitution, which allowed for direct elections.
Sir Andrew Barkworth Wright was Governor from 1947 to 1949. He started a policy to give more roles to Africans in the civil service. He was very popular when he left.
Sir Percy Wyn-Harris served from 1949 to 1958. He expanded the number of elected positions in the government. He was popular in the Protectorate areas because he worked to improve conditions there.
Sir Edward Henry Windley was Governor from 1958 to 1962. He helped create the House of Representatives and explored the idea of The Gambia joining with Senegal. He also oversaw the 1961 Constitution, which led to full self-government.
Sir John Paul was the last colonial Governor, serving from 1962 to 1965. He appointed Dawda Jawara as the first Prime Minister. He oversaw the independence conference in London in 1964. On February 18, 1965, The Gambia became independent, and Sir John Paul became its first Governor-General.