kids encyclopedia robot

List of governors of the Bahamas facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

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.

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
וודס רוג'רס.jpg
Woodes Rogers 26 July 1718 1721
George Phenney 1721 1728
וודס רוג'רס.jpg
Woodes Rogers August 1729 16 July 1732
Richard Fitzwilliam
(acting)
1734 1738
John Tinker 1741 1758
John Gambier
(acting)
1758 1760
WilliamShirleyNPG.jpg
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
Portrait of First Leader of Marines, Maj. Samuel Nicholas.jpg
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 Galvez.jpg
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
Sir Joshua Reynolds - John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore - Google Art Project.jpg
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.jpg
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.jpg
Sir Alexander Bannerman 1854 1857
Charles John Bayley 1857 1864
Rawson William Rawson 1864 1869
Sir James Walker 1869 1871
George Strahan portrait.jpg
Sir George Cumine Strahan 1871 1873
Sir John Hennessy.gif
Sir John Pope Hennessy 13 March 1873 1874
Sir William Robinson.jpg
Sir William Robinson 1874 1880
Jeremiah Thomas Fitzgerald Callaghan 1880 1881
Sir Charles Cameron Lees 1882 January 1884
Henry Arthur Blake.jpg
Sir Henry Arthur Blake 4 January 1884 1887
Ambrose Shea.jpg
Sir Ambrose Shea 1887 1895
Sir William Frederick Haynes Smith 1895 1898
Sir Gilbert Thomas Gilbert-Carter by Alexander Bassano 1893 NPG x6206 detail.jpg
Sir Gilbert Thomas Carter 1898 1904
Sir William Grey-Wilson 29 November 1904 1912
Sir George Basil Haddon-Smith 29 October 1912 1914
William Lamond Allardyce.jpg
Sir William Allardyce 15 June 1914 1920
Sir Harry Edward Spiller Cordeaux 8 December 1920 1926
Major

Sir Charles Orr

December 1926 January 1932
Bede Edmund Hugh Clifford.jpg

Sir Bede Clifford

10 January 1932 23 July 1937
Sir Charles Dundas 27 November 1937 1940
The Duke of Windsor (1945).jpg
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.jpg
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

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Gobernadores de las Bahamas para niños

kids search engine
List of governors of the Bahamas Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.