Kenneth Blackburne
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Sir Kenneth William Blackburne GCMG GBE (December 12, 1907 – November 4, 1980) was a British colonial official, best known as the first governor-general of Jamaica. He was knighted in 1952.
Blackburne was born in Bristol, England. He entered the colonial service in 1930 and served in Nigeria, Palestine and Gambia. He then served in the West Indies from 1943 to 1947 and then as director of colonial information services in London from 1947 to 1950, before returning to the West Indies. He served as governor of the Leeward Islands from 1950 to 1956 and as governor of Jamaica from 1957 until 1962. When Jamaica received its independence in August 1962, Blackburne was appointed as the governor-general, serving in that position for three months before his replacement took office.
Blackburne died in Douglas, Isle of Man. He was known as a proponent of better understanding between British people and people who lived in the places that he served in, and is credited with helping make Jamaica's transition to independence smoother.
| Political Offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: The Earl Baldwin of Bewdley |
Governor of the Leeward Islands 1950–1956 |
Succeeded by: Sir Alexander Williams |
| Preceded by: Hugh Mackintosh Foot |
Governor of Jamaica 1957-1962 |
Succeeded by: Himself, as Governor-General |
| Preceded by: Himself as Governor |
Governor-General of Jamaica 1962 |
Succeeded by: Sir Clifford Campbell |
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Categories: British government biography stubs | Jamaica stubs | 1907 births | 1980 deaths | Jamaican politicians | British diplomats | British colonial governors and administrators | Governors of Jamaica | Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George | Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
