List of governors of the Bahamas facts for kids
The Bahamas is a beautiful island nation in the Caribbean. For a long time, it was connected to the British Empire. This article tells you about the important people who were in charge of the Bahamas before it became a fully independent country. These leaders were called "governors."
The first English people settled on an island called Eleuthera in 1648. Later, in 1670, the King of England gave control of the Bahamas to a group of powerful people called "lords proprietors." But these islands were often left to manage themselves.
For several years, the Bahamas became a hideout for pirates! It was like a "Pirates' Republic" where they made their own rules. But in 1717, the Bahamas officially became a British "crown colony," which meant it was directly ruled by the British King or Queen. The pirates were then driven out.
During the American War of Independence, which happened between 1775 and 1783, the Bahamas was briefly taken over by both American and Spanish forces. But it eventually returned to British control.
The Bahamas took big steps towards managing itself in 1964, when it gained "self-governance." This meant Bahamians could make more of their own decisions. Finally, in 1973, the Bahamas became a completely independent country. This meant it was no longer ruled by Britain and could make all its own laws.
Contents
- Who Governed the Bahamas?
- Governors of Eleuthera (1648–1657)
- Proprietary Governors (1670–1706)
- The Pirate Era (1706–1718)
- Royal Governors (1718–1776)
- American Occupation (1776)
- Return of Royal Governors (1776–1782)
- Spanish Occupation (1782–1783)
- Royal Governors (1783–1969)
- Governors of the Commonwealth of the Bahama Islands (1969–1973)
- See also
Who Governed the Bahamas?
The people who led the Bahamas changed over time, depending on who was in charge. Here's a look at the different types of governors and when they served.
Governors of Eleuthera (1648–1657)
The very first English settlement was on Eleuthera.
Governor | From | To |
---|---|---|
William Sayle | 1648 | 1657 |
Proprietary Governors (1670–1706)
After 1670, the Bahamas was given to "lords proprietors." These governors were chosen by those powerful landowners.
Governor | From | To |
---|---|---|
Hugh Wentworth | 1671 | December 1671 |
John Wentworth | December 1671 | 1676 |
Charles Chillingworth | 1676 | 1677 |
Robert Clarke | 1677 | 1682 |
Richard Lilburne | 1682 | 1684 |
British rule was interrupted by Spanish and French attacks. | ||
Thomas Bridges | 1686 | 1690 |
Cadwallader Jones | 1690 | 1694 |
Nicholas Trott | 1694 | 1697 |
Nicholas Webb | 1697 | 1699 |
Read Elding (acting) |
1699 | 1701 |
Elias Haskett | 1701 | 1701 |
Ellis Lightfoot | 1701 | 1703 |
Edward Birch | 1704 | 1704 |
The Pirate Era (1706–1718)
During this time, the Bahamas was largely controlled by pirates, not official governors. It was known as the "Privateer's Republic."
Royal Governors (1718–1776)
After the pirates were dealt with, the British Crown took direct control. These governors were appointed by the King or Queen of Britain.
Image | Governor | From | To |
---|---|---|---|
Woodes Rogers | 26 July 1718 | 1721 | |
George Phenney | 1721 | 1728 | |
Woodes Rogers | August 1729 | 16 July 1732 | |
Richard Fitzwilliam (acting) |
1734 | 1738 | |
John Tinker | 1741 | 1758 | |
John Gambier (acting) |
1758 | 1760 | |
William Shirley | 1760 | 1775 | |
Montfort Browne | 1775 | 3 March 1776 |
American Occupation (1776)
For a short time during the American War of Independence, American forces took control.
Image | Commandant | From | To |
---|---|---|---|
Samuel Nicholas | 3 March 1776 | 17 March 1776 |
Return of Royal Governors (1776–1782)
The British governors returned for a few years.
Governor | From | To |
---|---|---|
John Gambier (acting) |
1776 | 1778 |
John Robert Maxwell | 1780 | 8 May 1782 |
Spanish Occupation (1782–1783)
The Bahamas was then briefly under Spanish rule.
Image | Governor | From | To |
---|---|---|---|
Bernardo de Gálvez y Madrid, Count of Gálvez |
8 May 1782 | 19 April 1783 |
Royal Governors (1783–1969)
After the Spanish left, the Bahamas returned to being a British Crown Colony for a very long time.
Image | Governor | From | To |
---|---|---|---|
Andrew de Vau (acting) | 1783 | 1783 | |
John Robert Maxwell | 1783 | 1784 | |
James Edward Powell (Lieutenant-governor) |
1784 | 1786 | |
John Brown (acting) |
1786 | 1787 | |
John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore | 1787 | 1796 | |
Robert Hunt (acting) |
1796 | 14 February 1797 | |
John Forbes (Lieutenant-governor) |
14 February 1797 | June 1797 | |
Lieutenant-General William Dowdeswell | 20 November 1797 | 1801 | |
John Halkett | 1801 | 1804 | |
Charles Cameron | 8 May 1804 | 1820 | |
Lewis Grant | 1821 | 1829 | |
Sir James Carmichael Smyth, 1st Baronet | 1829 | 1833 | |
Blayney Townley Balfour | 1833 | 1835 | |
William MacBean George Colebrooke | 1835 | 1837 | |
Sir Francis Cockburn | 1837 | 1844 | |
George Benvenuto Mathew | 1844 | 1849 | |
John Gregory | 1849 | 1854 | |
Sir Alexander Bannerman | 1854 | 1857 | |
Charles John Bayley | 1857 | 1864 | |
Rawson William Rawson | 1864 | 1869 | |
Sir James Walker | 1869 | 1871 | |
Sir George Cumine Strahan | 1871 | 1873 | |
Sir John Pope Hennessy | 13 March 1873 | 1874 | |
Sir William Robinson | 1874 | 1880 | |
Jeremiah Thomas Fitzgerald Callaghan | 1880 | 1881 | |
Sir Charles Cameron Lees | 1882 | January 1884 | |
Sir Henry Arthur Blake | 4 January 1884 | 1887 | |
Sir Ambrose Shea | 1887 | 1895 | |
Sir William Frederick Haynes Smith | 1895 | 1898 | |
Sir Gilbert Thomas Carter | 1898 | 1904 | |
Sir William Grey-Wilson | 29 November 1904 | 1912 | |
Sir George Basil Haddon-Smith | 29 October 1912 | 1914 | |
Sir William Allardyce | 15 June 1914 | 1920 | |
Sir Harry Edward Spiller Cordeaux | 8 December 1920 | 1926 | |
Major
Sir Charles Orr |
December 1926 | January 1932 | |
Sir Bede Clifford |
10 January 1932 | 23 July 1937 | |
Sir Charles Dundas | 27 November 1937 | 1940 | |
Major General | 18 August 1940 | 30 April 1945 | |
Sir William Lindsay Murphy | 28 July 1945 | 21 July 1949 | |
F. A. Evans (Acting Governor) | 22 July 1949 | 31 December 1949 | |
Sir George Sandford | 17 February 1950 | 15 September 1950 | |
Major General
Sir Robert Neville |
6 December 1950 | 1953 | |
Daniel Knox, 6th Earl of Ranfurly | 21 December 1953 | 19 December 1956 | |
Sir Raynor Arthur | 1 April 1957 | 14 June 1960 | |
Sir Robert Stapledon | 18 July 1960 | April 1964 | |
Ralph Grey, Baron Grey of Naunton | 3 June 1964 | 1 November 1968 | |
Sir Francis Hovell-Thurlow-Cumming-Bruce | 1 November 1968 | 1969 |
Governors of the Commonwealth of the Bahama Islands (1969–1973)
In 1969, the Bahamas became a "Commonwealth," which meant it had more control over its own affairs, but was still connected to Britain.
Governor | From | To | |
---|---|---|---|
Francis Hovell-Thurlow-Cumming-Bruce, 8th Baron Thurlow | 1969 | 1972 | |
Sir John Paul | 14 May 1972 | 10 July 1973 |
On July 10, 1973, the Bahamas became fully independent from the United Kingdom. From that day on, the leader of the country was no longer called a "governor" but a Governor-General. This new role represents the Bahamian Monarch, who is the head of state.
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Gobernadores de las Bahamas para niños