| Anton Buttiġieġ | |
|---|---|
| 2nd President of the Republic of Malta | |
| In office 1976–1981 |
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| Preceded by | Anthony Mamo |
| Succeeded by | Albert Hyzler (ad interim) ; Agatha Barbara |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 19, 1912 Qala, Gozo |
| Died | May 5, 1983 (aged 71) |
| Political party | Labour (PL) |
| Spouse(s) | (1st) Carmen Bezzina; (2nd) Connie Scicluna |
Anton Buttigieg (Maltese: Anton Buttiġieġ [antɔn butiɡiːɡ]; 19 February 1912 - 5 May 1983) was a Maltese political figure and poet. He served as the second President of Malta from 1976 until 1981.
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Anton Buttigieg was born in Qala, Gozo, on February 19, 1912, the third child of Salvatore and Concetta (née Falzon). He was educated at the Government Primary School, Qala (1916–1922), the Gozo Seminary (1923–1927), St Aloysius' College Malta (1928–1930) and the University of Malta, where he graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1934 and Doctor of Laws in 1940.
In 1944 he married the late Carmen Bezzina and had three children - John, Rose and Emanuel.
In 1953 he married the late Connie Scicluna. The death of his two wives seem to have been the major tragedies of his life and they have been reflected in his poetry. In 1975 he married Margery Patterson.
During World War II (1942–1944) he served in the Police Force as Inspector and thereafter he practised Law. In 1955 he also served as an acting Magistrate. He was the Law reporter and leader writer of the Times of Malta from 1946 to 1948 and the Editor of The Voice of Malta from 1959 to 1970.
He embarked on a political career and was first elected to the House of Representatives of Malta in the labour party interest in 1955. He was re-elected in all subsequent elections and held his seat in Parliament up to the time of his resignation in October 1976. From 1959 to 1961 he was President of the Malta Labour Party and from 1962 to 1976 its Deputy Leader. When the present administration took office in 1971, he served his country as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.
He was a delegate to the Malta Constitutional Conferences held in London in 1958 and in 1964. He was also a representative to the Consultative Assembly in the Council of Europe (1967–1971), where he was elected Vice-President (1967–1968).
In October 1976 he resigned from the House of Representatives.
On December 27, 1976 he was elected as the second President of Malta.
Dr. Anton Buttigieg also distinguished himself in the field of literature. During his undergraduate days he was one of the founder members of the 'Għaqda tal-Malti - Università' (26-1-1931). He was a Member of "L-Akkademja tal-Malti" (Academy of the Maltese Language) (20-3-1938).
His leisure interests were horse racing and gardening.
Dr. Anton Buttigieg was also President of the St. Gaetano Band Club of Ħamrun.
| Preceded by Anthony Mamo |
President of Malta 1976–1981 |
Succeeded by Albert Hyzler (acting) |
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