Rodney Williams (governor-general)

His Excellency Sir
Rodney Williams
GCMG KGN KStJ
Williams in 2017
4th Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda
Incumbent
Assumed office
14 August 2014
MonarchsElizabeth II
Charles III
Prime MinisterGaston Browne
Preceded byLouise Lake-Tack
Personal details
Born (1947-11-02) 2 November 1947 (age 77)[citation needed]
Swetes, Antigua and Barbuda
Political partyLabour Party
Spouse(s)Sandra, Lady Williams
Alma materUniversity of the West Indies
Websitehttps://gg.gov.ag

Sir Rodney Errey Lawrence Williams, GCMG, KGN, KStJ (born 2 November 1947)[1] is the current and 4th Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda.

Early life

Rodney is the son of Ernest Emmanuel Williams, the former Antigua Labour Party (ALP) parliamentary representative for the St Paul constituency and Irene B. Williams, a professional educator in Antigua and Barbuda.

Education

Williams attended the Antigua Grammar School in St. John's, upon graduating he taught at his alma mater for a year. He then studied medicine at the University of the West Indies, Mona, where he received his MBBS degree in Medicine and Surgery in 1976. From 1978, after completing his Internship at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados, he pursued his private medical practice in Antigua & Barbuda.

Early career

Rodney entered politics in 1984 as the Member of Parliament for the St Paul constituency, which had been previously represented by his father. Between 1992 and 2004, he served in the cabinet as a minister, holding variously or jointly the portfolios of education, culture, technology, economic development, tourism, and environment. He represented St Paul up to 2004 when he lost his seat in the 2004 general election, when his Antigua Labour Party lost to the United Progressive Party.[2]

Minister of Education, Culture and Technology

After the Antigua Labour Party's victory at the 1994 General Elections, Prime Minister Lester Bird appointed Williams as Minister of Education, Culture and Technology. He would retain this post until the end of his political career in 2004.

William's most controversial decision while being Minister of Education was his decision to introduce to Parliament the Board of Education Act, which introduced the Education Levy. The role of this statutory body was to provide finances for the stationery and physical supplies needed by public schools across the country. When the Bill was first tabled in the House of Representatives opposition forces marched in the high streets of St. John's, the capital city.

Governor-General

Viceregal styles of
Sir Rodney Williams
(2014–Present)
Reference styleHis Excellency
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Williams signing the book of condolence for Queen Elizabeth II at Lancaster House on 17 September 2022
Williams with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace in 2023

Rodney was sworn into office on 14 August 2014 as the 4th Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda.[3][2]

Honours and awards

On 30 August 2014, Williams was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2014 Special Honours.[4]

In November 2014, he received the Gold Benemerenti Medal of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George and was invested as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I by Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro.[5] On 22 December 2014, Williams was made a Knight of the Order of Saint John (KStJ), also in the 2014 Special Honours.[6]

In May 2019, Williams was awarded an honorary PhD degree from St. Mary's College of Maryland.[7][8]

In January 2021, he received an honorary DSc degree from the University of the West Indies.[9][10]

References

  1. ^ "H.E. Sir Rodney Williams, GCMG, KGN, MBBS (UWI), CAM, CSM". The Halo Foundation. 18 June 2021. Archived from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Sir Rodney sworn in as new Governor General". Antiguaobserver.com. 14 August 2014. Archived from the original on 1 May 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  3. ^ "Hail and Farewell". caribtimes.com. 19 August 2014. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ^ "No. 61023". The London Gazette. 17 October 2014. p. 20238.
  5. ^ Constantinian Order’s Grand Master & Cardinal Grand Prior officially visit Antigua and Barbuda and launch extensive Caribbean-wide charitable programme - website of the Chancery of Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George - Delegation of Great Britain and Ireland.
  6. ^ "No. 61083". The London Gazette. 22 December 2014. p. 24758.
  7. ^ 403 students participate in 2019 Commencement Ceremony at St. Mary’s College of Maryland - website of St. Mary's College of Maryland
  8. ^ GG Receives Honorary Doctorate From St. Mary’s College - website Antigua Newsroom
  9. ^ Sir Rodney Williams to receive UWI honorary doctorate - website of the newspaper Antigua Observer
  10. ^ 14 to receive honorary doctorates at The UWI’s 2020 Graduation ceremonies - website UWI-TV of the University of the West Indies
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rodney Williams.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Rodney Williams.
Government offices
Preceded by Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda
2014–present 		Incumbent