Hammer DeRoburt
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HE Hammer DeRoburt, KBE (September 25, 1922 - July 15, 1992) was the founding President of the Republic of Nauru, and ruled the country for most of its first twenty years of independence.
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[edit] Background and early career
A survivor of the wartime Japanese deportation of all Nauruans to Truk (1942-1946), he was elected to the Local Government Council of Nauru in the 1950s; then elected head chief (1955), he was the chief negotiator on phosphate royalties with the colonial power, Australia, which administered the island as a United Nations trust.
[edit] Presidency of post-independence Nauru
DeRoburt led the country to independence on January 31, 1968, and was president for most of the period until August 17, 1989. In December 1976 younger politicians gained a majority and installed Bernard Dowiyogo as president, but DeRoburt returned to power in May 1978. He was also out of office for two short periods in September and December 1986.
[edit] Personal
He was given an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II in 1982.
DeRoburt is credited with introducing Australian rules football to Nauru, which became the national sport.
[edit] See also
| New title Independence of Nauru
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President of Nauru 31 January 1968–22 December 1976 |
Succeeded by Bernard Dowiyogo |
| Preceded by Lagumot Harris |
President of Nauru 15 May 1978–17 September 1986 |
Succeeded by Kennan Adeang |
| Preceded by Kennan Adeang |
President of Nauru 1 October 1986–December 1986 |
Succeeded by Kennan Adeang |
| Preceded by Kennan Adeang |
President of Nauru December 1986–17 August 1989 |
Succeeded by Kenos Aroi |
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