Rodney Williams

Rodney is the son of Ernest Emmanuel Williams, the former Antigua Labour Party (ALP) parliamentary representative for the St Paul constituency and Irene B. Williams, a professional educator in Antigua and Barbuda.

Williams attended the Antigua Grammar School in St. John's, upon graduating he taught at his alma mater for a year. He then studied medicine at the University of the West Indies, Mona, where he received his MBBS degree in Medicine and Surgery in 1976. From 1978, after completing his Internship at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados, he pursued his private medical practice in Antigua & Barbuda.

Rodney entered politics in 1984 as the Member of Parliament for the St Paul constituency, which had been previously represented by his father. Between 1992 and 2004, he served in the cabinet as a minister, holding variously or jointly the portfolios of education, culture, technology, economic development, tourism, and environment. He represented St Paul up to 2004 when he lost his seat in the 2004 general election, when his Antigua Labour Party lost to the United Progressive Party.{{cite web |url=http://antiguaobserver.com/sir-rodney-sworn-in-as-new-governor-general/ |title=Sir Rodney sworn in as new Governor General |website=Antiguaobserver.com |date=14 August 2014 |accessdate=4 April 2016 |archive-date=1 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501112340/http://antiguaobserver.com/sir-rodney-sworn-in-as-new-governor-general/ |url-status=dead }}

After the Antigua Labour Party's victory at the 1994 General Elections, Prime Minister Lester Bird appointed Williams as Minister of Education, Culture and Technology. He would retain this post until the end of his political career in 2004.

William's most controversial decision while being Minister of Education was his decision to introduce to Parliament the Board of Education Act, which introduced the Education Levy. The role of this statutory body was to provide finances for the stationery and physical supplies needed by public schools across the country. When the Bill was first tabled in the House of Representatives opposition forces marched in the high streets of St. John's, the capital city.

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File:World Leaders - Book of Condolence for HM The Queen (52363935759).jpg at Lancaster House on 17 September 2022]]

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Rodney was sworn into office on 14 August 2014 as the 4th Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda.{{cite web|url=http://caribtimes.com/2014/08/13/hail-and-farewell/|title=Hail and Farewell|date=19 August 2014|website=caribtimes.com|accessdate=7 September 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819125454/http://caribtimes.com/2014/08/13/hail-and-farewell/|archivedate=19 August 2014|df=dmy-all}}

On 30 August 2014, Williams was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2014 Special Honours.{{londongazette|issue=61023|page=20238|date=17 October 2014}}

In November 2014, he received the Gold Benemerenti Medal of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George and was invested as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I by Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro.[https://www.constantinian.org.uk/constantinian-orders-grand-master-cardinal-grand-prior-officially-visit-antigua-barbuda-launch-extensive-caribbean-wide-charitable-programme/ Constantinian Order’s Grand Master & Cardinal Grand Prior officially visit Antigua and Barbuda and launch extensive Caribbean-wide charitable programme] - website of the Chancery of Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George - Delegation of Great Britain and Ireland. On 22 December 2014, Williams was made a Knight of the Order of Saint John (KStJ), also in the 2014 Special Honours.{{London Gazette |issue=61083 |page=24758 |date=22 December 2014}}

In May 2019, Williams was awarded an honorary PhD degree from St. Mary's College of Maryland.[https://inside.smcm.edu/news/2019/05/403-students-participate-2019-commencement-ceremony-st-marys-college-maryland 403 students participate in 2019 Commencement Ceremony at St. Mary’s College of Maryland] - website of St. Mary's College of Maryland[https://antiguanewsroom.com/gg-receives-honorary-doctorate-from-st-marys-college/ GG Receives Honorary Doctorate From St. Mary’s College] - website Antigua Newsroom

In January 2021, he received an honorary DSc degree from the University of the West Indies.[https://antiguaobserver.com/sir-rodney-williams-to-receive-uwi-honorary-doctorate/ Sir Rodney Williams to receive UWI honorary doctorate] - website of the newspaper Antigua Observer[https://uwitv.org/uwi-news/14-to-receive-honorary-doctorates-at-the-uwis-2020-graduation-ceremonies 14 to receive honorary doctorates at The UWI’s 2020 Graduation ceremonies] - website UWI-TV of the University of the West Indies

In November 2024, during his visit to India, he was presented with two distinguished honors. At the 25th International Conference of Chief Justices, Heads of States, and Heads of Governments, which took place in Lucknow from November 20 to 24, 2024, he received the Mahatma Gandhi Award for his unwavering dedication to global unity and peace. Additionally, he received recognition for his noteworthy contributions to humanitarian work and education.{{Cite web |last=Staff |first= |date=2024-11-27 |title=Governor General Honored with Special Accolades During Visit to India - Antigua News ! |url=https://antigua.news/2024/11/27/governor-general-honored-with-special-accolades-during-visit-to-india/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |language=en-GB}} Antigua.news

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• [http://www.ab.gov.ag/ Official Government Website]

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Category:Governors-general of Antigua and Barbuda

Category:1947 births

Category:Living people

Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George

Category:Recipients of the Order of the Nation (Antigua and Barbuda)

Category:People from Saint Paul Parish, Antigua