Ralph Grey, Baron Grey of Naunton
Encyclopedia
Ralph Francis Alnwick Grey, Baron Grey of Naunton, GCMG
, GCVO
, OBE
, GCSt.J
, PC, (1910 – 17 October 1999) was the last Governor of Northern Ireland
.
Ralph Grey was born in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1910. He began his career as a law clerk and barrister
and solicitor, and joined the Colonial Administrative Service in 1936. This took him into civil service, and he served as Governor of British Guiana
from 1958 to 1964 and of the Bahamas from 1964 to 1968.
Sir Ralph became Baron Grey of Naunton, of Naunton
in the County of Gloucestershire
, a life peer
, in 1968.
Lord Grey of Naunton was the last Governor of Northern Ireland, from 1968 to 1973, having been appointed on 31 July 1968. The position was abolished when the Northern Ireland parliament and government was abolished in 1973.
He had served as Chairman of the Central Council of the Royal Overseas League (1976–81), and was Lord Prior of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem (1988–91). From 1984 to 1993, he was Chancellor
of the University of Ulster
.
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
, GCVO
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
, OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, GCSt.J
Venerable Order of Saint John
The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem , is a royal order of chivalry established in 1831 and found today throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, Hong Kong, Ireland and the United States of America, with the world-wide mission "to prevent and relieve sickness and...
, PC, (1910 – 17 October 1999) was the last Governor of Northern Ireland
Governor of Northern Ireland
The Governor of Northern Ireland was the principal officer and representative in Northern Ireland of the British monarch. The office was established on 9 December 1922 and abolished on 18 July 1973.-Overview:...
.
Ralph Grey was born in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1910. He began his career as a law clerk and barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
and solicitor, and joined the Colonial Administrative Service in 1936. This took him into civil service, and he served as Governor of British Guiana
British Guiana
British Guiana was the name of the British colony on the northern coast of South America, now the independent nation of Guyana.The area was originally settled by the Dutch at the start of the 17th century as the colonies of Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice...
from 1958 to 1964 and of the Bahamas from 1964 to 1968.
Sir Ralph became Baron Grey of Naunton, of Naunton
Naunton
Naunton is a village in Gloucestershire, England. It is situated in the Cotswolds, an area of outstanding natural beauty ; approximately 6 miles west of Stow-on-the-Wold and 12 miles east of Cheltenham....
in the County of Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
, a life peer
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
, in 1968.
Lord Grey of Naunton was the last Governor of Northern Ireland, from 1968 to 1973, having been appointed on 31 July 1968. The position was abolished when the Northern Ireland parliament and government was abolished in 1973.
He had served as Chairman of the Central Council of the Royal Overseas League (1976–81), and was Lord Prior of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem (1988–91). From 1984 to 1993, he was Chancellor
Chancellor (education)
A chancellor or vice-chancellor is the chief executive of a university. Other titles are sometimes used, such as president or rector....
of the University of Ulster
University of Ulster
The University of Ulster is a multi-campus, co-educational university located in Northern Ireland. It is the largest single university in Ireland, discounting the federal National University of Ireland...
.