James Carlisle
Encyclopedia
Sir James Beethoven Carlisle, GCMG
(born August 5, 1937) is the former Governor-General
of Antigua and Barbuda
. Selected by Prime Minister, Vere Cornwall Bird (the first indigenous prime minister on gaining independence from Britain) on June 10, 1993 and appointed by the Queen of Antigua
his term was terminated on June 30, 2007 - a period of 14 years. He was born in the village of Bolans
, Antigua
, making him the first Antiguan-born Governor-General. Sir James is married to Emma Carlisle (Lady Carlisle), who during her period as wife to the Governor-General became involved in raising funds from commercial sponsors for indigenous persons in her homeland.
to continue his education at Northampton College of Technology. He then took a Bachelor's degree in dentistry
at the University of Dundee
. In 1991, he graduated from the American School of Laser Dentistry.
With help from the ex prime minister, Vere Bird, one of his patients, who offered the position of Governor-General to him, he assisted with the development of a Fluoride Programme for children, and assisted the ex prime minister institute a free dental service. He is a member of the International Society of Laser Dentists and the British Dental Association
.
from 1961 - 1966. He was also commissioned in the Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force between 1983 - 1993. As Governor General he was automatically appointed as Commander of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force.
. As such he did not carry out official duties on the Sabbath or serve alcohol
to guests at official functions. This was a source of some controversy, by his own admission.
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(born August 5, 1937) is the former 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...
of Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island nation lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of two major inhabited islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and a number of smaller islands...
. Selected by Prime Minister, Vere Cornwall Bird (the first indigenous prime minister on gaining independence from Britain) on June 10, 1993 and appointed by the Queen of Antigua
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
his term was terminated on June 30, 2007 - a period of 14 years. He was born in the village of Bolans
Bolans
Bolans is a community on the south-western end of the island of Antigua, headtown of the Saint Mary's Parish. It was once an agrarian community but has slowly been transformed into a centre of tourist activity. There are those in the community who involve themselves in agricultural activity, more...
, Antigua
Antigua
Antigua , also known as Waladli, is an island in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region, the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua means "ancient" in Spanish and was named by Christopher Columbus after an icon in Seville Cathedral, Santa Maria de la...
, making him the first Antiguan-born Governor-General. Sir James is married to Emma Carlisle (Lady Carlisle), who during her period as wife to the Governor-General became involved in raising funds from commercial sponsors for indigenous persons in her homeland.
Education
Sir James received his early schooling at Bolans Public School, before moving to the United KingdomUnited 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...
to continue his education at Northampton College of Technology. He then took a Bachelor's degree in dentistry
Dentistry
Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
at the University of Dundee
University of Dundee
The University of Dundee is a university based in the city and Royal burgh of Dundee on eastern coast of the central Lowlands of Scotland and with a small number of institutions elsewhere....
. In 1991, he graduated from the American School of Laser Dentistry.
Dental career
Sir James has practised in both Antigua and Britain. Upon his return to Antigua in 1981 he went into private practice - the fourth dentist on the island - which met with some resistance from the competition. However, he built up his private practice and also undertook work as a dental officer in the public service.With help from the ex prime minister, Vere Bird, one of his patients, who offered the position of Governor-General to him, he assisted with the development of a Fluoride Programme for children, and assisted the ex prime minister institute a free dental service. He is a member of the International Society of Laser Dentists and the British Dental Association
British Dental Association
The British Dental Association is the largest voluntary membership organisation for dentists in the UK.-Structure:The majority of the BDA’s 22,000 members are family dentists, working in general practice providing both National Health Service and private care...
.
Military career
Sir James was in the British Royal Air ForceRoyal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
from 1961 - 1966. He was also commissioned in the Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force between 1983 - 1993. As Governor General he was automatically appointed as Commander of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force.
Political career
Sir James involved himself in the local community. He was Chairman of the National Parks Authority, which he ran before he was nominated by the then prime minister as Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda. As Governor-General Sir James was the representative of the Queen, the country's head of state.Religion
Sir James is a Seventh-day AdventistSeventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
. As such he did not carry out official duties on the Sabbath or serve alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
to guests at official functions. This was a source of some controversy, by his own admission.
Honours
- British Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St GeorgeOrder of St Michael and St GeorgeThe Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(GCMG), November 1993. Invested, July 1994. - Knight of Justice - Order of St. John (KStJ)
Positions Held As Governor General
- Grandmaster of four Antiguan Orders of Chivalry as Governor-General
- Chief Scout of the Antigua and Barbuda Branch of The Scout AssociationAntigua and Barbuda Branch of The Scout AssociationThe Antigua and Barbuda Branch of The Scout Association is coeducational, with separate sections for boys and girls. Although Antigua and Barbuda is independent, Scouting is a section of the United Kingdom's Scout Association....
- Patron of the local British Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme
- Patron of the Renal Society of Antigua and Barbuda
Honorary Degrees
- Doctor of Laws, (Honorary) Andrews UniversityAndrews UniversityAndrews University is a Seventh-day Adventist university in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1874 as Battle Creek College in Battle Creek, Michigan, it was the first higher education facility started by Seventh-day Adventists, and is the flagship university of the Seventh-day...
in MichiganMichiganMichigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, U.S.United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Family
- Daughters - Jackie Carlisle, Nikki Carlisle, Faith Carlisle
- Sons - John Carlisle, Mark Carlisle