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.

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.

Proprietary Governors (1670–1706)

After 1670, the Bahamas was given to "lords proprietors." These governors were chosen by those powerful landowners.

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.

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 Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor	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.

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