The Most Honourable
Sir Cornelius Smith
ON GCMG
Smith in 2008
11th Governor-General of The Bahamas
In office
28 June 2019 – 31 August 2023
MonarchsElizabeth II
Charles III
Prime MinisterHubert Minnis
Philip Davis
Preceded byMarguerite Pindling
Succeeded byCynthia A. Pratt
Personal details
Born
Cornelius Alvin Smith

(1937-04-07) 7 April 1937 (age 86)
North Long Island, Bahamas
Political partyFree National Movement
SpouseClara Elizabeth Knowles
Children3
Alma materUniversity of Miami

Sir Cornelius Alvin Smith GCMG ON[1] (born 7 April 1937)[2][3] is a Bahamian politician and diplomat, who served as the 11th Governor-General of the Bahamas from 2019 to 2023.[4]

Biography

Smith was one of the first members of the Free National Movement upon its foundation in the early 1970s, and served in the legislature representing Marco City constituency in Grand Bahama, starting in 1982, and was re-elected three times. Smith served as the Minister of Education from 1992 to 1995, Minister of Public Safety and Immigration from 1995 to 1997,[5] Minister of Tourism from 1997 to 2000, and Minister of Transport and Local Government from 2000 to 2002.[6][7]

He also previously was Ambassador to the United States, starting on his appointment on 24 September 2007, as well as Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States and Non-Resident Ambassador to Mexico, Malaysia, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

In 2018, Smith was sworn in as the deputy Governor General.[8]

On 17 June 2019, he was announced as the 11th Governor-General of the Bahamas, taking up office on 28 June, in succession to Dame Marguerite Pindling, who had served in the position since 8 July 2014.[4][9]

In December 2019, Smith was the recipient of the Nassau Pan Hellenic Lifetime Achievement Award for his philanthropic contributions to The Bahamas.[10]

Smith demitted the viceregal office on 31 August 2023.[11]

Personal life

Cornelius Alvin Smith was born to Sylvanues and Susan Smith in North End, Long Island, Bahamas, on 7 April 1937.[3][12] He received his primary education at Glintons Public School, Long Island, and his secondary education at the Bahamas Teachers Training College at Nassau, subsequently earning a master's degree in business administration from the University of Miami.

Smith is married to the former Clara Elizabeth Knowles, with whom he has three children.[7]

References

  1. ^ "CENTRAL CHANCERY OF THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD". www.thegazette.co.uk. 10 September 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  2. ^ "AllGov - Officials". www.allgov.com. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  3. ^ a b Thompson, Lindsay (29 October 2007). "thebahamasweekly.com - C.A Smith Officially Appointed Ambassador to Washington". www.thebahamasweekly.com. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  4. ^ a b media. "The Cabinet Office announces The Honourable Cornelius A. Smith to serve as the 11th Governor-General in an Independent Bahamas! | Bahamaspress.com". Archived from the original on 27 June 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Past and Present Ministers MNS and Bios" (PDF). www.bahamas.gov.bs. Government of The Bahamas.
  6. ^ Guardian, The Nassau. "Cornelius Smith". National Library and Information Services - Bahamas. Archived from the original on 16 September 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  7. ^ a b Cooper, Michael R. "Minister Biographies | Ambassador Cornelius Alvin Smith". National Library and Information Services - Bahamas. Archived from the original on 27 June 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  8. ^ Rolle, Rashad (12 July 2018). "CA Smith sworn in as Deputy to the Governor General". www.tribune242.com. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  9. ^ "The Hon. Cornelius A. Smith Sworn In as the 11th Governor-General". Bahamas Press. 28 June 2019.
  10. ^ Campbell, Kathryn (10 December 2019). "Governor General Heads List of Greek Hall of Fame Award Recipients". The Bahamas Weekly. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  11. ^ Godspeed, Sir Cornelius
  12. ^ "Mr. Smith goes to Washington – A Night of Honour". thebahamasweekly.com. 6 April 2008.
Government offices Preceded byDame Marguerite Pindling Governor-General of The Bahamas 2019–2023 Succeeded byDame Cynthia A. Pratt
Categories