Solomon Hochoy

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

His Excellency Sir Solomon Hochoy TC GCMG GCVO OBE
Hochoy in 1972
1st Governor-General of Trinidad and Tobago
In office 31 August 1962 – 15 September 1972
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Prime Minister	Eric Williams
Preceded by	Himself (as Governor)
Succeeded by	Ellis Clarke
17th Governor of Trinidad and Tobago
In office 4 July 1960 – 31 August 1962
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Premier	Eric Williams
Preceded by	Edward Beetham
Succeeded by	Himself (as Governor-General)
Personal details
Born	(1905-04-20)20 April 1905 Colony of Jamaica (present-day Jamaica)
Died	15 November 1983(1983-11-15) (aged 78) Blanchisseuse, Trinidad and Tobago
Nationality	Trinidadian and Tobagonian
Political party	Independent
Spouse	Thelma Huggins Hochoy

Life and career

Of Hakka Han Chinese descent, Hochoy's family emigrated to Trinidad from Jamaica when he was two years old. He spent his early years in Blanchisseuse. After rising through the civil service, Hochoy was appointed the first non-European Governor in the entire British Empire in 1960, and the first ethnic Chinese 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

• Anthony, Michael (2001). Historical Dictionary of Trinidad and Tobago. Lanham, Maryland, US & London, UK: Scarecrow Press, Inc. ISBN 0-8108-3173-2.
• Sinaswee, Sonja (17 September 2000). "Lady Thelma Hochoy: First and always ... a lady". The Sunday Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011 – via National Library and Information System.
• "The Hochoys: Sir Solomon and Lady Thelma Hochoy". Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago: Campus Libraries, University of the West Indies. Archived from the original on 30 April 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2017.

External links

• Sir Solomon Hochoy Independence Feature (brief film) on YouTube