The Governor of Northern Ireland was the principal officer and representative in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...

 of the British monarch. The office was established on 9 December 1922 and abolished on 18 July 1973.

Overview

The office of the Governor of Northern Ireland was established on 9 December 1922 under Letters Patent

Letters patent

Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...

 to:

"do and execute in due manner as respects Northern Ireland all things which by virtue of the [1920] Act

Government of Ireland Act 1920

The Government of Ireland Act 1920 was the Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which partitioned Ireland. The Act's long title was "An Act to provide for the better government of Ireland"; it is also known as the Fourth Home Rule Bill or as the Fourth Home Rule Act.The Act was intended...

 and our said Letters Patent of 27 April 1921 or otherwise belonged to the office of Lord Lieutenant

Lord Lieutenant of Ireland

The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was the British King's representative and head of the Irish executive during the Lordship of Ireland , the Kingdom of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...

 at the time of the passing of the Irish Free State Constitution Act 1922

Irish Free State Constitution Act 1922

The Irish Free State Constitution Act 1922 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, passed in 1922 to confirm the Constitution of the Irish Free State, and to ratify the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty....

"

The Governor had possession of the Great Seal of Northern Ireland

Great Seal of Northern Ireland

The Great Seal of Northern Ireland is the seal used for Northern Ireland. The great seal is currently under the possession of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland...

.

The Governor was the successor to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland

Lord Lieutenant of Ireland

The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was the British King's representative and head of the Irish executive during the Lordship of Ireland , the Kingdom of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...

 in Northern Ireland, itself established on 3 May 1921. The office of the Governor was abolished on 18 July 1973 under Section 32 of the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973

Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973

The Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which received the Royal Assent on 18 July 1973...

. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, informally the Northern Ireland Secretary, is the principal secretary of state in the government of the United Kingdom with responsibilities for Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State is a Minister of the Crown who is accountable to the Parliament of...

, a cabinet

Cabinet of the United Kingdom

The Cabinet of the United Kingdom is the collective decision-making body of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, composed of the Prime Minister and some 22 Cabinet Ministers, the most senior of the government ministers....

 office that had been created in 1972, took over the functions of the Governor on 20 December 1973 under Letters Patent.

Governors of Northern Ireland, 1922-1973

No.	Name	Picture	Entered Office	Left Office
1.	The Duke of Abercorn James Hamilton, 3rd Duke of Abercorn James Albert Edward Hamilton, 3rd Duke of Abercorn KG, KP, PC , styled Marquess of Hamilton between 1885 and 1913, was a British peer and Unionist politician. He was the first Governor of Northern Ireland, a post he held between 1922 and 1945...		12 December 1922	6 September 1945
2.	The Earl Granville William Leveson-Gower, 4th Earl Granville Vice Admiral William Spencer Leveson-Gower, 4th Earl Granville KG, GCVO, CB, DSO , styled The Honourable William Leveson-Gower until 1939, was a British naval commander and governor.-Background:...		7 September 1945	1 December 1952
3.	The Lord Wakehurst		1 December 1952	1 December 1964
4.	The Lord Erskine of Rerrick John Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine of Rerrick John Maxwell Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine of Rerrick, GBE, Kt, KStJ, DL, JP, FRSE was the son of John and Maryanne Erskine...		1 December 1964	27 November 1968
5.	The Lord Grey of Naunton Ralph Grey, Baron Grey of Naunton Ralph Francis Alnwick Grey, Baron Grey of Naunton, GCMG, GCVO, OBE, GCSt.J, PC, was the last Governor of Northern Ireland....		27 November 1968	26 June 1973