Solomon Hochoy

His Excellency
Sir Solomon Hochoy
Governor General of Trinidad and Tobago
In office
31 August 1962 – 15 September 1972
Monarch Elizabeth II
Prime Minister Eric Williams
Succeeded by Ellis Clarke
Personal details
Born (1905-04-20)20 April 1905
Jamaica
Died 15 November 1983(1983-11-15) (aged 78)
Blanchisseuse, Trinidad and Tobago
Nationality Trinidad and Tobago
Spouse(s) Thelma Huggins

Sir Solomon Hochoy GCMG GCVO OBE (20 April 1905 – 15 November 1983) was a Trinidad and Tobago politician. He was the last British governor of Trinidad and Tobago and the first governor-general upon the country's independence in 1962. He was the first non-white governor of a British crown colony and the first ethnically Chinese and nationally Caribbean person to become governor-general in the Commonwealth.

Life and career

Of Hakka Chinese background, his family emigrated to Trinidad when he was two years old and he grew up in Blanchisseuse. After rising through the civil service, Hochoy was appointed the first non-white Governor in the entire British Empire in 1960 (the first West Indian to be Governor).

When Trinidad and Tobago became independent in 1962 Hochoy was appointed Governor General. He retired from that position in 1972 and was succeeded by Ellis Clarke. After retirement he returned to Blanchisseuse where he spent the remainder of his life.

Family

He was married to Thelma Huggins, a social activist.

Legacy

The Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway and the Solomon Hochoy Trophy (for football) are named in his honour.

References

Government offices
Preceded by
Sir Edward Betham Beetham		 Governor of Trinidad and Tobago
1960–1962 		Succeeded by
—
Preceded by
—		 Governor-General of Trinidad and Tobago
1962–1972 		Succeeded by
Ellis Clarke

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