Governors of Jamaica
Encyclopedia
This is a list of viceroys in Jamaica
from its initial occupation by Spain
in 1509, to its independence from the United Kingdom
in 1962. For a list of viceroys in Jamaica after independence, see Governor-General of Jamaica
.
in 1494 when Christopher Columbus
first landed on the island. Spain began occupying the island in 1509, naming it Santiago. The second governor, Francisco de Garay
, established Villa de la Vega, now known as Spanish Town
, as his capital.
seized the island, and successfully held it against Spanish attempts to retake it over the next few years.
legitimised English claim to the island.
In 1962, Jamaica gained independence from the United Kingdom
. Since independence, the viceroy in Jamaica has been the Governor-General of Jamaica
.
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
from its initial occupation by Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in 1509, to its independence from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1962. For a list of viceroys in Jamaica after independence, see Governor-General of Jamaica
Governor-General of Jamaica
The Governor-General of Jamaica represents the Jamaican monarch, and head of state, who holds the title of King or Queen of Jamaica ....
.
Spanish Governors of Santiago (1510–1660)
Jamaica was claimed for SpainSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in 1494 when Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator, born in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents in the...
first landed on the island. Spain began occupying the island in 1509, naming it Santiago. The second governor, Francisco de Garay
Francisco de Garay
Francisco de Garay was a Spanish Basque conquistador. He was a companion to Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the New World and arrived in Hispaniola in 1493. Here he attracted attention when he encountered a large gold nugget worth four thousand pesos.- Jamaica:From 1514 to 1523...
, established Villa de la Vega, now known as Spanish Town
Spanish Town
Spanish Town is the capital and the largest town in the parish of St. Catherine in the county of Middlesex, Jamaica. It was the former Spanish and English capital of Jamaica from the 16th to the 19th century...
, as his capital.
- Juan de EsquivelJuan de EsquivelJuan de Esquivel was born in Seville, Spain and died in Jamaica in 1513. He conquered the island of Jamaica for the Spanish Crown.He accompanied Christopher Columbus in his second trip to the American continent in 1493 and participated in the conquest and colonization of the isle of La Española,...
, 1510–1514 - Francisco de GarayFrancisco de GarayFrancisco de Garay was a Spanish Basque conquistador. He was a companion to Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the New World and arrived in Hispaniola in 1493. Here he attracted attention when he encountered a large gold nugget worth four thousand pesos.- Jamaica:From 1514 to 1523...
, 1514–1523 - Pedro de Mazuelo, 1523–1526
- Juan de Mendegurren, 1526–1527
- Santino de Raza, 1527–1531
- Gonzalo de Guzman, ?–1532
- Manuel de Rojas, 1532–?, first time
- Gil González DávilaGil González DávilaGil González Dávila was a Spanish Conquistador and the first European to arrive in present-day Nicaragua.González Dávila first appears in historical records in 1508, when he received a royal commission to examine accounts and tax records of estates. He probably traveled soon afterward to Santo...
, 1533?–1534? - Manuel de Rojas, 1536–?, second time
- Pedro CanoPedro CanoPedro Cano was born June 19, 1920 in La Morita, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. He moved to the United States into the small community of Edinburg, Texas when he was 2 months old. There he served as a farm laborer until he volunteered to serve in the Army during World War II...
, 1539?, first time - Francisco de Pina, 1544?
- Juan González de Hinojosa, 1556?
- Pedro CanoPedro CanoPedro Cano was born June 19, 1920 in La Morita, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. He moved to the United States into the small community of Edinburg, Texas when he was 2 months old. There he served as a farm laborer until he volunteered to serve in the Army during World War II...
, 1558?, second time - Blas de Melo, 1565?
- Juan de Gaudiel, 1567?–1572?
- Hernán Manrique de Rojas, 1575?
- Iñigo Fuentes, ?–1577
- Rodrigo Núñez de la Peña, 1577–1578
- Lucas del Valle Alvarado, 1578–1583?, first time
- Diego Fernández de Mercado, 1586?
- Lucas del Valle Alvarado, 1591?, second time
- García del Valle, 1596?
- Fernando Melgarejo Córdoba, 1596–1606
- Alonso de Miranda, 1607–1611
- Pedro Espejo Barranco, 1611–1614
- Andrés González de Vera, 1614–?
- Sebastián Lorenzo Romano, 1620?
- Francisco Terril, 1625–1632
- Juan Martínez Arana, 1632–1637
- Gabriel Peñalver Angulo, 1637–1639
- Jacinto Sedeño Albornoz, 1639–1640, first time
- Francisco Ladrón de Zegama, 1640–1643
- Alcades, 1643–1645
- Sebastián Fernández de Gamboa, 1645–1646
- Pedro Caballero, 1646–1650
- Jacinto Sedeño Albornoz, 1650, second time
- Francisco de Proenza, 1650–1651, first time
- Juan Ramírez de Arellano, 1651–1655
- Francisco de Proenza, 1655–1656, second time
- Cristóbal Arnaldo Isasi, 1656–1660
English Commanders of Jamaica (1655-1661)
In 1655, an English force led by Admiral Sir William Penn, and General Robert VenablesRobert Venables
Robert Venables , was a soldier during the English Civil War and noted angler.Venables was lieutenant-colonel in the parliamentary army. He was wounded at Chester in 1645. He was appointed governor of Liverpool in 1648. He served with success in Ireland from 1649 until 1654...
seized the island, and successfully held it against Spanish attempts to retake it over the next few years.
- Admiral Sir William Penn 11 May 1655–1655
- General Robert VenablesRobert VenablesRobert Venables , was a soldier during the English Civil War and noted angler.Venables was lieutenant-colonel in the parliamentary army. He was wounded at Chester in 1645. He was appointed governor of Liverpool in 1648. He served with success in Ireland from 1649 until 1654...
, 1655 - Edward D'Oyley, 1655–1656, first time
- William Brayne, 1656–1657
- Edward D'Oyley, 1657–1661, second time
English Governors of Jamaica (1661-1662)
In 1661, England began colonisation of the island.- Edward D'Oyley, 1661–August 1662, continued
- Thomas, Lord WindsorThomas Hickman-Windsor, 1st Earl of PlymouthThomas Hickman-Windsor, 1st Earl of Plymouth, PC succeeded to his family's estate around Hewell Grange near Redditch in 1645, the same year he distinguished himself in the Battle of Naseby...
, August 1662–November 1662
Deputy Governors of Jamaica (1662-1671)
- Charles LyttletonSir Charles Lyttelton, 3rd BaronetSir Charles Lyttelton, 3rd Baronet was the second son of Sir Thomas Lyttelton, 1st Baronet. He inherited the baronetcy and the family estates in Frankley, Halesowen, Hagley, and Upper Arley on the death of his brother Sir Henry Lyttelton, 2nd Baronet in 1693...
, 1662–1663, acting - Thomas LynchThomas Lynch (governor)Sir Thomas Lynch was English governor of Jamaica on three separate occasions in the 17th century.He originally came from Galway, and was known as "Buckra Lynch". He was also chief justice of Jamaica for a time.His rival was Henry Morgan....
, 1663–1664, acting, first time - Edward MorganEdward Morgan (governor)Edward Morgan was a Welsh politician and became the Deputy Governor of Jamaica in 1664, after the Restoration of the monarchy under Charles II. His daughter, Mary, married his nephew, the celebrated privateer Henry Morgan.-References:...
, 1664 - Sir Thomas ModyfordThomas ModyfordColonel Sir Thomas Modyford, 1st Baronet was a planter of Barbados and Governor of Jamaica, 1664-70.Modyford was the son of a mayor of Exeter with family connections to the Duke of Albemarle, who emigrated to Barbados as a young man with other family members in 1647, in the opening stages of the...
, 1664–August 1671
Lieutenant Governors of Jamaica (1671-1690)
In 1670, the Treaty of MadridTreaty of Madrid (1670)
The Treaty of Madrid adopted in 1670 was a treaty between England and Spain. Under the terms of the treaty, Spain recognized English possessions in the Caribbean Sea: "all those lands, islands, colonies and places whatsoever situated in the West Indies." England took formal control of Jamaica and...
legitimised English claim to the island.
- Sir Thomas LynchThomas Lynch (governor)Sir Thomas Lynch was English governor of Jamaica on three separate occasions in the 17th century.He originally came from Galway, and was known as "Buckra Lynch". He was also chief justice of Jamaica for a time.His rival was Henry Morgan....
, August 1671–November 1674, second time - Sir Henry MorganHenry MorganAdmiral Sir Henry Morgan was an Admiral of the Royal Navy, a privateer, and a pirate who made a name for himself during activities in the Caribbean, primarily raiding Spanish settlements...
, 1674–1675, acting, first time - John VaughanJohn Vaughan, 3rd Earl of CarberySir John Vaughan, 3rd Earl of Carbery KB, FRS , styled Lord Vaughan from 1643 to 1686, was Governor of Jamaica between 1675–1678....
, 1675–1678 - Sir Henry MorganHenry MorganAdmiral Sir Henry Morgan was an Admiral of the Royal Navy, a privateer, and a pirate who made a name for himself during activities in the Caribbean, primarily raiding Spanish settlements...
, 1678, acting, second time - The Earl of CarlisleCharles Howard, 1st Earl of CarlisleCharles Howard, 1st Earl of Carlisle was an English politician and military leader.The first in the Howard line of earls, he was the son and heir of Sir William Howard, of Naworth in Cumberland, by Mary, daughter of William, Lord Eure, and great-grandson of Lord William Howard, "Belted Will" , the...
, 1678–1680 - Sir Henry MorganHenry MorganAdmiral Sir Henry Morgan was an Admiral of the Royal Navy, a privateer, and a pirate who made a name for himself during activities in the Caribbean, primarily raiding Spanish settlements...
, 1680–1682, acting, third time - Sir Thomas LynchThomas Lynch (governor)Sir Thomas Lynch was English governor of Jamaica on three separate occasions in the 17th century.He originally came from Galway, and was known as "Buckra Lynch". He was also chief justice of Jamaica for a time.His rival was Henry Morgan....
, 1682–1684, third time - Hender Molesworth, 1684–December 1687, acting
- Christopher Monck The Duke of AlbermarleChristopher Monck, 2nd Duke of AlbemarleChristopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle, KG, PC was an English statesman and failed soldier.He was the son of George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle....
, 1687–1688 - Hender Molesworth, 1688–1689, acting
- Francis Watson, 1689–1690, acting
Governors of Jamaica (1691-1962)
- The Earl of InchiquinWilliam O'Brien, 2nd Earl of InchiquinWilliam McMurrough O'Brien, 2nd Earl of Inchiquin was an Irish nobleman.-Life:William O'Brien was the son of Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Inchiquin and Elisabeth St. Leger...
, 1690–1691 - John White, 1691–1692, acting
- John Burden, 1692–1693, acting
- Sir William Beefton, March 1693–January 1702, acting to 1699
- William Selwyn, 1702
- Peter BeckfordPeter BeckfordColonel Peter Beckford was acting Governor of Jamaica in 1702.Peter was the son of another Peter Beckford, of Maidenhead. Sir Thomas Beckford, Sheriff of London was his uncle as was Captain Richard Beckford, who was trading in Jamaica from 1659...
, 1702, acting - Thomas Handasyde, 1702–1711, acting to 1704
- Lord Archibald HamiltonLord Archibald HamiltonLord Archibald Hamilton was a British politician.Hamilton was the youngest son of William Douglas-Hamilton, Duke of Hamilton and Anne Hamilton, 3rd Duchess of Hamilton. He became a Captain in the Royal Navy and in 1708, was elected as MP for Lanarkshire...
, 1711–1716 - Peter Heywood, 1716–1718
- Sir Nicholas LawesNicholas LawesSir Nicholas Lawes was Governor of Jamaica from 1718 to 1722.He was a British knight.In his capacity as Governor during the Golden Age of Piracy he tried many pirates, among them "Calico Jack" Rackham, Anne Bonny, Mary Read, Robert Deal, & Charles Vane...
, 1718–1722 - The Duke of PortlandHenry Bentinck, 1st Duke of PortlandHenry Bentinck, 1st Duke of Portland , styled Viscount Woodstock from 1689 until 1709, was a British politician and colonial statesman....
, 1722–4 July 1726 - John Ayscough, 1726–1728, acting, first time
- Robert HunterRobert Hunter (general)General Robert Hunter was colonial governor of New York and New Jersey from 1710 to 1720.A Scot, the son of James Hunter and his wife Margaret Spalding, Hunter had been apprenticed to an apothecary before running away to join the British Army. He became an officer and married a woman of high rank...
, 1728–March 1734 - John Ayscough, 1734–1735, acting, second time
- John Gregory, 1735, acting, first time
- Henry Cunninghame, 1735–1736
- John Gregory, 1736–1738, acting, second time
- Edward Trelawny, 1738–1752
- Charles Knowles, 1752–January 1756
- Sir Henry Moore, February 1756–April 1756, acting, first time
- George HaldaneGeorge HaldaneGeorge Haldane was born in 1722 to the Clan Haldane. He joined the British Military at the age of 17 and quickly rose to the rank of Brigadier General after leading a series of successful military campaigns as a junior officer. He also served as Governor of Jamaica from 1756 until his death in...
, April 1756–November 1759 - Sir Henry Moore, November 1759–1762, acting, second time
- Sir William Lyttleton, 1762–1766
- Roger Hope Elletson, 1766–1767
- Sir William TrelawnySir William Trelawny, 6th BaronetSir William Trelawny, 6th Baronet , was a British politician and colonial administrator.Trelawny sat as Member of Parliament for West Looe from 1757 to 1767. The latter year he was appointed Governor of Jamaica, a post he held until his death in December 1772. Trelawny Parish, Jamaica was named...
, 1767–December 1772 - John Dalling, December 1772–1774, acting, first time
- Sir Basil Keith, 1774–1777
- John Dalling, 1777–1781, second time
- Archibald Campbell, 1781–1784, acting to 1783
- Alured ClarkeAlured ClarkeField-marshal Sir Alured Clarke KB was an officer of the British army, lieutenant governor of the colonial Province of Quebec, and civil administrator of Lower Canada...
, 1784–1790 - The Earl of EffinghamThomas Howard, 3rd Earl of EffinghamLieutenant-Colonel Thomas Howard, 3rd Earl of Effingham PC , styled Lord Howard until 1763, was a British nobleman and Army officer, the son of Thomas Howard, 2nd Earl of Effingham....
, 1790–19 November 1791 - Sir Adam Williamson, 1791–1795, acting
- The Earl of Balcarres, 1795–1801
- Sir George Nugent, 1801–1805
- Sir Eyre CooteEyre Coote (the Younger)Eyre Coote was an Irish-born British soldier and politician who served as Governor of Jamaica.-Background:...
, 1806–1808 - The Duke of ManchesterWilliam Montagu, 5th Duke of ManchesterColonel William Montagu, 5th Duke of Manchester , styled Viscount Mandeville until 1783, was a British peer, soldier, colonial administrator and politician.-Background and education:...
, 1808–1821 - Sir John KeaneJohn Keane, 1st Baron KeaneJohn Keane, 1st Baron Keane, GCB, GCH was a British soldier.Keane was born in Belmont, Ireland, the second son of Sir John Keane, 1st Baronet. He joined the British Army as an Ensign at age 11 in 1792. He rose the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the 60th Foot and commanded a brigade in the...
, 1827–1829, acting - The Earl BelmoreSomerset Lowry-Corry, 2nd Earl BelmoreSomerset Lowry-Corry, 2nd Earl Belmore , styled The Honourable from 1781 to 1797 and then known as Viscount Corry to 1802, was an Irish nobleman and politician.-Politics and inheritance:...
, 1829–1832 - George Cuthbert, 1832, acting, first time
- The Earl of MulgraveConstantine Phipps, 1st Marquess of NormanbyConstantine Henry Phipps, 1st Marquess of Normanby KG GCB GCH, PC , styled Viscount Normanby between 1812 and 1831 and known as The Earl of Mulgrave between 1831 and 1838, was a British Whig politician and author...
, 1832–1834 - Sir Amos Norcot, 1834, acting
- George Cuthbert, 1834, acting, second time
- The Marquess of Sligo, 1834–1836
- Sir Lionel Smith, 1836–1839
- Sir Charles Theophilus Metcalfe, 1839–1842
- The Earl of ElginJames Bruce, 8th Earl of ElginSir James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin and 12th Earl of Kincardine, KT, GCB, PC , was a British colonial administrator and diplomat...
, 1842–1846 - George Henry Frederick Berkeley, 1846–1847, acting
- Sir Charles Edward GreyCharles Edward GreySir Charles Edward Grey GCH was a British politician.He was a younger son of Ralph William Grey of Backworth. Grey was educated at University College, Oxford, graduating in 1806, and elected a fellow of Oriel College, Oxford in 1808. He was called to the bar in 1811, and appointed a commissioner...
, 1847–1853 - Sir Henry BarklyHenry BarklySir Henry Barkly, GCMG, KCB, FRS, FRGS was a British politician, colonial governor and patron of the sciences.-Early life and education:...
, 1853–1856 - Edward Wells Bell, 1856–1857, acting
- Charles Henry DarlingCharles Henry DarlingSir Charles Henry Darling KCB was a British colonial governor.He was born at Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, the son of Major-General Henry Darling and nephew of General Sir Ralph Darling....
, 1857–1862 - Edward John EyreEdward John EyreEdward John Eyre was an English land explorer of the Australian continent, colonial administrator, and a controversial Governor of Jamaica....
, 1862–1865, acting to 1864 - Sir Henry Knight StorksHenry Knight StorksSir Henry Knight Storks GCMG GCB was a British soldier and colonial governor.Educated at Charterhouse School, he entered the Army on 10 January 1828 as an ensign of the 61st Regiment of Foot. He was promoted lieutenant on 2 March 1832, exchanged to the 14th Regiment of Foot on 23 March 1832 and...
, 12 December 1865–16 July 1866 - Sir John Peter Grant, 1866–1874
- W. A. G. Young, 1874, acting
- Sir William Grey, 1874–January 1877
- Edward Everard Rushworth Mann, January 1877, acting
- Sir Anthony MusgraveAnthony MusgraveSir Anthony Musgrave KCMG was a colonial administrator and governor. He was born at St John’s, Antigua, the third of 11 children of Anthony Musgrave and Mary Harris Sheriff...
, January 1877–1883 - Somerset M. Wiseman Clarke, 1883, acting
- Dominic Jacotin Gamble, 1883, acting
- Sir Henry Wylie NormanHenry Wylie NormanField Marshal Sir Henry Wylie Norman GCB, GCMG, CIE , Field Marshal and colonial Governor.-Early life:He was born 2 December 1826, only son of James Norman, merchant, and his wife Charlotte, née Wylie....
, 1883–1889 - William Clive Justice, 1889, acting
- Sir Henry Arthur BlakeHenry Arthur BlakeSir Henry Arthur Blake GCMG, DL was a British colonial administrator, Governor of Hong Kong from 1898 to 1903.-Early life and career:...
, 1889–1898 - Henry Jardine Hallowes, 1898, acting
- Sir Augustus William Lawson Hemming, 1898–1904
- Sydney Haldane OlivierSydney Olivier, 1st Baron OlivierSydney Haldane Olivier, 1st Baron Olivier, KCMG, CB, PC , was a British civil servant. A Fabian and a member of the Labour Party, he served as Governor of Jamaica and as Secretary of State for India in the first government of Ramsay MacDonald...
, 1904, acting, first time - Hugh Clarence Bourne, 1904, acting, first time
- Sir James Alexander Swettenham, 30 September 1904–1907
- Hugh Clarence Bourne, 1907, acting, second time
- Sydney Haldane OlivierSydney Olivier, 1st Baron OlivierSydney Haldane Olivier, 1st Baron Olivier, KCMG, CB, PC , was a British civil servant. A Fabian and a member of the Labour Party, he served as Governor of Jamaica and as Secretary of State for India in the first government of Ramsay MacDonald...
, 16 May 1907–January 1913, acting - Philip Clark Cork, January 1913–7 March 1913, acting
- Sir William Henry Manning, 7 March 1913–11 May 1918
- Robert Johnstone, 11 May 1918–11 June 1918, acting
- Sir Leslie Probyn, 11 June 1918–1924
- Herbert Bryan, 1924, acting, first time
- Sir Samuel Herbert WilsonSamuel Herbert WilsonBrigadier General Sir Samuel Herbert Wilson, GCMG, KCB, KBE was a British colonial administrator who served as Governor of Trinidad and Tobago between 1921 and 1924. He did much to popularise football, offering a Wilson Cup for football....
, 29 September 1924–June 1925 - Sir Herbert Bryan, 1925, acting, second time
- A. S. Jeef, October 1925–26 April 1926, acting, first time
- Sir Reginald Edward StubbsReginald Edward StubbsSir Reginald Edward Stubbs, GCMG was a British colonial governor, who was once the Governor of Hong Kong...
, 26 April 1926–9 November 1932 - A. S. Jeef, 9 November 1932–21 November 1932, acting, second time
- Sir Alexander Ransford Slater, 21 November 1932–April 1934
- A. S. Jeef, April 1934–24 October 1934, acting, third time
- Sir Edward Brandis DenhamEdward Brandis DenhamSir Edward Brandis Denham, GCMG, KBE was a British colonial administrator. He served as Governor of The Gambia , British Guiana and Jamaica .-Life:...
, 24 October 1934–2 June 1938 - Charles Campbell Woolley, 2 June 1938–19 August 1938, acting
- Sir Arthur Frederick RichardsArthur Richards, 1st Baron MilvertonArthur Frederick Richards, 1st Baron Milverton GCMG , was a British colonial administrator who served as Governor of Nigeria from 1943 to 1948....
, 19 August 1938–July 1943 - William Henry Flinn, July 1943–29 September 1943, acting
- Sir John Huggins, 29 September 1943–7 April 1951
- Sir Hugh Mackintosh Foot, 7 April 1951–18 November 1957
- Sir Kenneth BlackburneKenneth BlackburneSir Kenneth William Blackburne, GCMG, GBE was a British colonial official, best known as the first governor-general of Jamaica. He was knighted in 1952....
, 18 December 1957–6 August 1962
In 1962, Jamaica gained independence from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Since independence, the viceroy in Jamaica has been the Governor-General of Jamaica
Governor-General of Jamaica
The Governor-General of Jamaica represents the Jamaican monarch, and head of state, who holds the title of King or Queen of Jamaica ....
.