List of governors of British Guiana facts for kids
The governor of British Guiana was a very important person who represented the British King or Queen in the country we now call Guyana. This job existed from 1831, when two smaller areas called Demerara-Essequibo and Berbice joined together to form British Guiana. The governor's role continued until 1966, when Guyana became an independent country.
Contents
What Was the Governor's Role?
The governor was like the main leader appointed by the British government. They were responsible for making sure the colony of British Guiana was run according to British rules. This included managing the government, overseeing laws, and representing the British Crown. It was a powerful position that lasted for many years.
A Look at the Governors of British Guiana (1831–1966)
Many different people held the position of governor during British Guiana's history. These leaders played a key role in shaping the colony before it became an independent nation. Sometimes, an "acting" governor would step in if the main governor was away or between appointments.
| Term | Incumbent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 21 July 1831 – 26 June 1833 | Sir Benjamin d'Urban | |
| 26 June 1833 – 27 June 1838 | Sir James Carmichael Smyth | |
| 27 June 1838 – 19 May 1848 | Sir Henry Light | |
| 19 May 1848–12 February 1849 | William Walker | acting, first time |
| 12 February 1849 – 11 May 1853 | Henry Barkly | |
| 11 May 1853–23 May 1854 | William Walker | acting, second time |
| 23 May 1854 – 7 January 1862 | Sir Philip Wodehouse | |
| 7 January 1862 – 25 January 1869 | Sir Francis Hincks | |
| 25 January 1869 – 26 December 1873 | Sir John Scott | |
| 27 December 1873–10 March 1874 | Edward Rushworth | acting |
| 10 March 1874 – 8 March 1877 | James Robert Longden | |
| 8 March 1877–3 April 1877 | William A. G. Young | acting, first time |
| 3 April 1877 – 13 December 1881 | Sir Cornelius Hendricksen Kortright | |
| 13 December 1881–4 May 1882 | William A. G. Young | acting, second time |
| 4 May 1882 – 1887 | Sir Henry Turner Irving | |
| 26 April 1884–1884 | Sir William Frederick Haynes-Smith | acting for Irving |
| 1887–1888 | Charles Bruce | acting |
| 1888–23 March 1893 | The Viscount Gormanston | |
| April 1891–15 October 1891 | Sir Charles Bruce | acting for Viscount Gormanston, second time |
| 23 March 1893–5 July 1893 | Sir Charles Bruce | acting, third time |
| 5 July 1893–September 1895 | Sir Charles Cameron Lees | |
| 15 December 1894–29 January 1895 | Charles Cavendish Boyle | acting for Lees, first time |
| September 1895–March 1896 | Charles Cavendish Boyle'' | acting, second time |
| March 1896–27 March 1898 | Sir Augustus William Lawson Hemming | |
| 1 October 1896–18 November 1896 | Charles Cavendish Boyle | acting for Hemming, third time |
| 27 May 1897–28 July 1897 | Charles Cavendish Boyle | acting for Hemming, fourth time |
| 27 March 1898 – 3 July 1901 | Sir Walter Joseph Sendall | |
| 3 July 1901 – 26 September 1904 | Sir James Alexander Swettenham | |
| 26 September 1904 – 5 July 1912 | Sir Frederick Mitchell Hodgson | |
| 5 July 1912 – 15 April 1917 | Sir Walter Egerton | |
| 15 April 1917 – 4 April 1923 | Sir Wilfred Collet | |
| 4 April 1923 – 31 August 1925 | Sir Graeme Thomson | |
| 31 August 1925 – 7 November 1928 | Sir Cecil Hunter-Rodwell | |
| 7 November 1928 – 9 June 1930 | Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg | |
| 9 June 1930 – 26 March 1935 | Sir Edward Brandis Denham | |
| 26 March 1935 – 19 November 1937 | Sir Geoffry Alexander Stafford Northcote | acting from 1936 |
| 19 November 1937 – 7 November 1941 | Sir Wilfrid Edward Francis Jackson | |
| 7 November 1941 – 1947 | Sir Gordon James Lethem | acting from 1946 |
| 12 April 1947 – 14 April 1953 | Sir Charles Campbell Woolley | |
| 14 April 1953 – 25 October 1955 | Sir Alfred William Lungley Savage | |
| 25 October 1955 – 22 December 1958 | Sir Patrick Muir Renison | |
| 22 December 1958 – 7 March 1964 | Sir Ralph Francis Alnwick Grey | |
| 7 March 1964 – 26 May 1966 | Sir Richard Edmonds Luyt |
From Colony to Independent Nation
On 26 May 1966, British Guiana became an independent country and was renamed Guyana. This meant it was no longer controlled by the United Kingdom. After independence, the main representative in Guyana was called the Governor-General of Guyana. This role was different because the Governor-General represented the Queen, but Guyana was now a self-governing nation.
See also
- President of Guyana
- List of heads of state of Guyana
- List of prime ministers of Guyana
