Sir Solomon Hochoy (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 The Han Chinese () or Han people (), are an East Asian ethnic group native to China. They constitute the world's largest ethnic group, making up about 18% of the global population and consisting of various subgroups speaking distinctiv ...

and nationally Caribbean person to become Governor-General in the Commonwealth.

Life and career

Of Hakka Han

Chinese Chinese can refer to: * Something related to China * Chinese people, people of Chinese nationality, citizenship, and/or ethnicity **''Zhonghua minzu'', the supra-ethnic concept of the Chinese nation ** List of ethnic groups in China, people of ...

descent, Hochoy's family emigrated to Trinidad when he was two years old. He spent his early years in

Blanchisseuse Blanchisseuse (pronounced, in the local English dialect, "blan-chee-shears") is a village in Trinidad and Tobago. It is located about midway along the north coast of Trinidad on the northern slope of the Northern Range, about 24 km north ...

. 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 Sir Ellis Emmanuel Innocent Clarke (28 December 191730 December 2010) was the first President of Trinidad and Tobago and the second and last Governor-General. He was one of the main architects of Trinidad and Tobago's 1962 Independence constitu ...

. 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 The Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway, sometimes referred to as SHH, is the major north–south highway on the island of Trinidad, in Trinidad and Tobago. It runs for 35.6 km (22.1 mi). It connects Chaguanas with Gandhi Village, Debe. It meets the U ...

and the Solomon Hochoy Trophy (for football) are named in his honour.

References

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External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Hochoy, Solomon 1905 births 1983 deaths Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George Governors-General of Trinidad and Tobago Governors of Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago knights Trinidad and Tobago people of Chinese descent Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order Officers of the Order of the British Empire Recipients of the Trinity Cross People from Tunapuna–Piarco Trinidad and Tobago politicians of Chinese descent Jamaican emigrants to Trinidad and Tobago