List of governors of Menorca facts for kids

Menorca is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. For a long time, different countries wanted to control it because of its important location. This list tells you about the people who were in charge of Menorca, called governors, from when the British first took control in 1708 until they left for good in 1802.

Background: Menorca's Changing Hands

It was quite common for governors of Menorca to be away from the island. Some of them never even visited! Menorca was a very important place, so it changed owners many times during the 1700s.

First, the British captured Menorca in 1708. They ruled it until 1756. Then, the French took over for seven years. After that, in 1763, the island was given back to Britain as part of a peace agreement called the Peace of Paris (1763).

In 1781, Spain invaded and captured Menorca. By 1783, Britain officially gave the island to Spain. But the story wasn't over! The British captured Menorca one last time in 1798. They stayed until 1802, when the island was finally returned to Spain.

British Rule (1708–1756)

During this time, Menorca was governed by British officials. Sometimes, a governor was in charge, and other times, a lieutenant-governor took the lead, especially if the main governor was absent.

Governors (1708-1756)

• 1708–1711: James Stanhope, who led the capture of Menorca from Spain.
• 1712–1713: John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll
• 1713–1714: Charles Mordaunt, 3rd Earl of Peterborough
• 1714–1716: John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll
• 1716–1718: George Carpenter
• 1718–1719: George, Lord Forbes
• 1733–1736: Richard Kane
• 1737–1742: Algernon Seymour, Earl of Hertford
• 1742–1747: John Dalrymple, 2nd Earl of Stair
• 1747–1756: James O'Hara, 2nd Baron Tyrawley. He never actually visited Menorca. From 1747 to June 1756, the island was managed by the Lieutenant-Governor, William Blakeney.

Lieutenant-Governors (1708-1756)

• 1733-1747: Philip Anstruther

French Occupation (1756–1763)

After the British, the French took control of Menorca for a few years.

• 1756–1758: Hyacinthe Gaëtan de Lannion (first time)
• 1758–1759: Jean Toussaint de la Pierre, marquis de Frémeur
• 1759–1760: Louis-Félicien de Boffin d'Argenson et Pusignieu (first time)
• 1760–1762: Hyacinthe Gaëtan de Lannion (second time)
• 1762–1763: Louis-Félicien de Boffin d'Argenson et Pusignieu (second time)

British Rule (1763–1782)

Menorca was returned to Britain in 1763. It remained under British rule for nearly two more decades.

Governors (1763-1782)

• 1763: Sir Richard Lyttelton
• 1766: George Howard
• 1768: John Mostyn
• 1778: James Murray

Lieutenant-Governors (1763-1782)

• 1763: James Johnston
• 1774: James Murray
• 1779: Sir William Draper

When the main Governor or Lieutenant-Governor was not on the island, a military leader would be in charge. For example, Colonel John Crawford governed until 1765, and Major-General John Barlow took over from 1770.

British Occupation (1798–1802)

The British took Menorca one last time before it was permanently returned to Spain.

• 1798–1800: Charles Stuart
• 1800–1802: Henry Edward Fox

Restored to Spain (1802–present)

After 1802, Menorca became part of Spain again. It is now part of the Balearic Islands. Later, the island was governed by local councils. This was before a system of devolved government started in 1977. Devolved government means that some power is given from the main government to local governments.

See also

• Great Britain in the Seven Years War
• Menorca – History section
• Mordaunt Cracherode

Sources

• Rulers.org, B. Schemmel
• Serie cronologica de los gobernadores de Menorca desde 1287 hasta 1815 inclusive
• La projecció política catalana a Mallorca a l'època dels Àustries, els governadors de les illes de Menorca i Eivissa