Sir Frederick Joseph Clarke was Saint Lucia’s first native Governor.

Early life and education

Frederick Clarke was born on 21 May 1912. He was educated at Wesley Hall, Barbados and later at St. Mary’s College in St. Lucia, and the St. Vincent Grammar School. He studied medicine at the School of Medicine in Edinburgh, Scotland and upon graduating, he held the Licentiate of the Royal College of Edinburgh and Glasgow (LRCP E & G).

Career

Dr. Clarke returned to St. Lucia in 1946 and was stationed in Soufriere as the District Medical Officer. During his many years of service to the Government, he also served as Chief Medical Officer. In the 1950’s, he pursued several courses in the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis and wrote papers on leprosy for the University of the West Indies. In November, 1963, Dr. Clarke retired from the Government Service.

In the 1960’s Dr. Clarke became politically active and was a founding member of the United Workers Party. When the U.W.P. formed the Government in 1964, he was appointed Speaker of the House of Assembly, a position which he held until 1967. Later that year he become the island’s first native Governor on the attainment of Associated Statehood.

Honours and awards

In 1968, Dr. Clarke was made a Knight Bachelor and in the following year, a Knight of the Order of St. John. In 1973 Dr. Clarke retired as Governor and returned to private practice.

Dr. Clarke also made important contributions to the field of cricket and bridge. He was the captain of the St. Lucia Cricket team, which he led in the Cork Cup Tournaments in 1946, 1950 and 1953. He was a member of the Windward Islands Cricket Board and represented the Board on the West Indies Cricket Board of Control for many years. He also represented St. Lucia in several Bridge Tournaments and is credited with having introduced “duplicate” bridge to St. Lucia.

Death

St. Lucia’s first native Governor Dr. Clarke died on the morning of Sunday, 26 October 1980. He was 68 years old.