Governor-in-chief
Encyclopedia
Governor-in-chief was a title used in the British Empire
for certain colonial governor
s, usually where authority was held over more than one colony. The title gave way in the nineteenth century to that of Governor-General
, although it remained in use as the formal title of the Governor of Jamaica until the mid-twentieth century.
(at Freetown) the case in both periods of existence of British West Africa
, 17 October 1821 - 13 January 1850 and 19 February 1866 - 24 November 1888, the other components being Gambia, the British Gold Coast (present Ghana
) and, in the second period, also Lagos territory (later a colony; in present Nigeria).
On the British South Caribbean Islands, the title was vested in the Governor of Grenada
(1762-1802; 1779-1784 vacant), the other components being Dominica
, St. Vincent, the Grenadines
and Tobago
; later (1833 - 1 January 1960) all part of the even larger Windward Islands
but without a title above Governor.
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
for certain colonial governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
s, usually where authority was held over more than one colony. The title gave way in the nineteenth century to that of Governor-General
Governor-General
A Governor-General, is a vice-regal person of a monarch in an independent realm or a major colonial circonscription. Depending on the political arrangement of the territory, a Governor General can be a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above "ordinary" governors.- Current uses...
, although it remained in use as the formal title of the Governor of Jamaica until the mid-twentieth century.
History
The office could be systematically vested in and cumulated with a governorship, as it was in the governors of Sierra LeoneSierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
(at Freetown) the case in both periods of existence of British West Africa
British West Africa
British West Africa was the collective name for British colonies in West Africa during the colonial period, either in the general geographical sense or more specifically those comprised in a formal colonial administrative entity...
, 17 October 1821 - 13 January 1850 and 19 February 1866 - 24 November 1888, the other components being Gambia, the British Gold Coast (present Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
) and, in the second period, also Lagos territory (later a colony; in present Nigeria).
On the British South Caribbean Islands, the title was vested in the Governor of Grenada
Grenada
Grenada is an island country and Commonwealth Realm consisting of the island of Grenada and six smaller islands at the southern end of the Grenadines in the southeastern Caribbean Sea...
(1762-1802; 1779-1784 vacant), the other components being Dominica
Dominica
Dominica , officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island nation in the Lesser Antilles region of the Caribbean Sea, south-southeast of Guadeloupe and northwest of Martinique. Its size is and the highest point in the country is Morne Diablotins, which has an elevation of . The Commonwealth...
, St. Vincent, the Grenadines
Grenadines
The Grenadines is a Caribbean island chain of over 600 islands in the Windward Islands.-Geographic boundaries:They are divided between the island nations of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. They lie between the islands of Saint Vincent in the north and Grenada in the south. Neither...
and Tobago
Tobago
Tobago is the smaller of the two main islands that make up the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is located in the southern Caribbean, northeast of the island of Trinidad and southeast of Grenada. The island lies outside the hurricane belt...
; later (1833 - 1 January 1960) all part of the even larger Windward Islands
Windward Islands
The Windward Islands are the southern islands of the Lesser Antilles, within the West Indies.-Name and geography:The Windward Islands are called such because they were more windward to sailing ships arriving in the New World than the Leeward Islands, given that the prevailing trade winds in the...
but without a title above Governor.