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Edward Beetham | |
|---|---|
| Dave Laughton, Ted Hill, Eleanor Hill, Sir Edward Beetham, Governor of Trinidad & Tobago, 1957 | |
| Governor of Trinidad and Tonago | |
| In office 23 June 1955 –1960 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Sir Hubert Rance |
| Succeeded by | Sir Solomon Hochoy |
| Governor of the Windward Islands | |
| In office 1953–1955 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Brigadier Sir Robert Arundell |
| Succeeded by | Sir Colville Deverell |
| Resident Commissioner of Bechuanaland | |
| In office 1950–1953 | |
| Monarchs | George VI Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Anthony Sillery |
| Succeeded by | Martin Osterfield Wray |
| Resident Commissioner of Swaziland | |
| In office 25 August 1946 –1950 | |
| Monarch | George VI |
| Preceded by | Eric Kellett Featherstone |
| Succeeded by | David Loftus Morgan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Edward Betham Beetham 19 February 1905 |
| Died | 19 February 1979 (aged 74) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Colonial official |
Sir Edward Betham Beetham KCMG CVO OBE (19 February 1905 –19 February 1979) [1] was a British colonial official who served as Resident Commissioner in Swaziland from 1946 to 1950 and in the Bechuanaland Protectorate from 1950 to 1953.
He was educated at Charterhouse School and Lincoln College,Oxford. He was Governor of the Windward Islands 1953–55 and Governor of Trinidad and Tobago 1955–60,where he presided over the transition to elected internal self-government. [2] Beetham was the last British colonial governor of Trinidad and Tobago of British descent. The Beetham Highway in Port of Spain is named after him.
From 25 August 1946 until 1951,Beetham served as Resident Commissioner in Swaziland,overseeing colonial administrative affairs in the territory. He was preceded in this office by Eric Kellett Featherstone. [3]
In 1950,Beetham was appointed Resident Commissioner of Bechuanaland (present-day Botswana),a position he held until 1953. According to colonial administrative records,his appointment followed his term in Swaziland,and in Bechuanaland he succeeded William Forbes Mackenzie. [4] [5]
Between 1953 and 1955,Beetham served as Governor of the Windward Islands,a British colonial grouping in the Caribbean. He succeeded Sir Robert Arundell and was followed by Sir Colville Deverell in that post. [1]
In 1955,Beetham was appointed Governor of Trinidad and Tobago,holding office until 1960. During his governorship he guided constitutional changes and presided over the transition toward elected internal self-government. [2] He was the last British-born colonial governor of the territory. The Beetham Highway in Port of Spain is named in his honour. [6]
Beetham died on 19 February 1979,on his 74th birthday. He left behind a legacy tied to late colonial governance and constitutional transition in Trinidad and Tobago. [1]
Beetham's tenure in Trinidad and Tobago is particularly remembered for overseeing the constitutional evolution toward self-rule. The Beetham Highway a major thoroughfare in Port of Spain constructed in 1955–56—bears his name,reflecting his lasting impact in Trinidad's infrastructure and public memory. [2]