The governor of Malta (Maltese: Gvernatur ta' Malta) was an official who ruled Malta during the British colonial period between 1813 and 1964. This office replaced that of the civil commissioner. Upon the end of British rule and the creation of the State of Malta in 1964, this office was replaced by the governor-general, who represented the British monarch and not the government of the United Kingdom as did the governor. The office of Governor-General was itself abolished in 1974 and replaced by the post of president when Malta became a republic.
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The governor
The governor, appointed by the British monarch (on the advice of the prime minister), maintained executive power in Malta throughout British rule. He was head of the executive council and the pre-independence government of Malta.
The governor was the most powerful official in Malta.
The governor was initially supported by a lieutenant-governor. For example, from ca. 1813 to ca. 1820, Major-General Sir William Hutchinson served as lieutenant governor. After the death of the Marquess of Hastings in 1826, the British government decided to downgrade the post of Governor to Lieutenant-Governor, with a reduced allowance. Sir Frederick Ponsonby was formally designated Lieutenant-Governor and Commander of the Malta Garrison.
Lieutenant governors of Malta
Public Secretary
Arthur Baynes 1801
Alexander Macauley 1801
Samuel Taylor Coleridge 1804–1805
E. F. Chapman 1805
Rev. Francis Laing 1811–1813
Chief Secretary
Rev. Francis Laing 1813–1815
Alexander Wood 1815–1817
Richard Plasket 1817–1824
Colonel Sir Frederick Hankey 1824–1837
Sir Hector Greig 1837–1847
Henry Lushington 1847–1855
Sir Victor Houlton 1855–1883
Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson 1883–1884
Lieutenant Governor
Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson 1884–1889 (as Lieutenant Governor)
Sir Gerald Strickland 1889–1902 (as Chief Secretary)
Sir Edward Merewether 1902–1910 (as Lieutenant Governor and Chief Secretary)
Chief Secretary
Major John Clauson 1911–1914
Horace Byatt 1914–1916
Sir William C. F. Robertson 1917–1925
Sir Thomas Alexander Vans Best 1925–1930
Sir Harry Luke 1930–1938
John Adams Hunter 1938–1940
Sir Edward St. John Jackson 1940–1943
Sir David Campbell 1943–1952
Trafford Smith 1952–1959
Archibald Campbell 1959–1962