Sir Clifford Clarence Campbell: Jamaica’s First Born Governor General
By: Cerone White
On this day in Caribbean history, June 28, 1892, Sir Clifford Clarence Campbell (ON, GCMG, GCVO) the first Jamaican- born Governor General of Jamaica was born. The position of the Governor-General is highly revered and because the chosen individual represents the monarch/head of state on ceremonial occasions such as the opening of parliament, the presentation of honors, and military parades.
Campbell was born in Petersfield, Westmoreland, Jamaica to parents James Campbell, Civil Servant and Blanche, Blance Ruddock. Campbell attended Petersfield Elementary School from 1901 to 1912 and then further pursued his education at the Mico Training/Teaching College from 1913 to 1915. After graduating from college he turned his attention to politics, due to his longtime activistism for the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP). Campbell served as speaker of the of the House Representative and later as president of the senate from Aug. 31, 1962, to Nov. 30, 1962, then after Jamaica gained its independence in 1962 he took the office of Governor General on Dec. 1, 1962. Jamaica’s first Governor-General was Sir Kenneth Blackburne who was in office from Aug. 6 – Nov. 30, 1962. Blackburne was born in Bordon, England and he was knighted in in 1952.
Campbell’s rise to the top didn’t come easy. He rose to the top facing racial criticism from across the board by both black and white Jamaicans. When he took to the highest office in the land he broke the racial barrier. It was the notion that only whites should be given that position because of the influential capabilities. According to a published article ‘Clifford Campbell, born 120 years ago’ in the Jamaica Observer it was said that up until the 1970s there were many white Jamaicans residing in the island. They were, for the most part, the descendants of the slave owners. The Campbell’s had to endure upper-class gossip about their lack of social graces but that did not deter them from carrying out their duties.
Campbell served on this platform from Dec. 1, 1962 – Mar. 2 1973. After his service to his country, the first Jamaican-born Governor General dedicated the rest of his life to public service. Before his death, in Sept. 1991 he was a part of several organizations where he served in various capacities. He served as the last VP of the Association of Westmoreland Branches of the Jamaica Agricultural Society and a member of the delegation sent to investigate conditions of Jamaican farm workers in the U.S.A. in 1945 he also was a part of other organization. Campbell died at the age of 99 he was replaced by acting Governor General Sir Herbert George Holwell Duffus then shortly afterward the position was filled by Sir Kenneth Blackburne.
