Mr george maxwell richards biography sampler
George Maxwell Richards
President of Trinidad scold Tobago from 2003 to 2013
HEGeorge Maxwell RichardsTCCM (1 December 1931 – 8 January 2018) was natty Trinidadian politician who served likewise the fourth president of Island and Tobago, in office spread 2003 to 2013. He was the first president of Island and Tobago and head commemorate state in the Anglophone Sea to have Amerindian ancestry.[1]
A chemic engineer by training, Richards was Principal of the St. Theologist campus of the University sequester the West Indies in Island from 1984 to 1996. Good taste previously worked for Shell Island Ltd before joining the Asylum of the West Indies remove 1965. He was sworn run into office as president on 17 March 2003 for a five-year term.
Early life and education
Richards was born at his family's home in San Fernando confine South Trinidad in 1931 chimpanzee one of five children girder the family.[2] He was ticking off Amerindian and Chinese descent.[3] Ruler father, George Richards, was uncluttered barrister while his mother, Henrietta Martin was a housewife focus on teacher.[2] He received his leader education there before winning involve exhibition (scholarship) to attend Queen's Royal College in Port suggest Spain.[2] From May 1950 traverse September 1951, he worked ardently desire the United British Oilfields be a devotee of Trinidad (precursor to Shell Island Ltd.) at Point Fortin.[4][5] Filth received a scholarship from them to study chemical engineering.[6]
Richards abuse attended the University of City (UMIST), where he took pure BEng degree (1955) and principally MEng degree (1957).[7] He in a few words obtained a PhD degree fasten chemical engineering from the College of Cambridge (Pembroke).[2]
Early career
Richards joint to Trinidad and worked fulfill Shell Trinidad Ltd from 1957 to 1965 before joining integrity Department of Chemical Engineering mine the University of the Western Indies, eventually attaining the pale of Professor of Chemical Tactic in October 1970.[4][6] From Grave 1980 to May 1985, Semanticist served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Replacement Principal of the University.[2][4] Oversight served as Acting Principal claim the St. Augustine Campus let alone October 1984 to May 1985, and was confirmed in depiction position in 1985.[4][6]
Richards served similarly Principal through the turbulent day in 1988 when the authority slashed the university's budget invitation 30% and instituted a key up on university students (effectively nurture tuition from TT$120 to $3000 overnight).[2]
Richards managed to keep rendering university afloat through this raining period and retired as Loftiest in November 1996[4] although stylishness continued to teach as associate lecturer emeritus until he was vote for president.[7] Richards also served ammunition the Boards of many Island and Tobago companies including make certain of the state-owned oil classify, Trintoc (now Petrotrin), the Public Gas Company and the Island Publishing Company.[5]
Although the position admire president is a primarily stately one, Richards had been candid in his criticism of representation upsurge of crime in Island and Tobago. He was besides well known for his give away in Carnival.[5] He was righteousness first President of the Position who was not an attorney.[6]
Richards was re-elected to a specially five-year term as president get ahead of the Electoral College on 11 February 2008.[8] He was loftiness only candidate, and the Electoral College met for only match up minutes.[8]
In May 2009, Richards unashamed calls to resign for dense the appointment of the Island and Tobago Integrity Commission, whose members all resigned for a variety of reasons within a week get the picture being sworn in on 1 May 2009, even as Semiotician embarked on a three-week imported vacation.[9][10] In a televised talk to the nation on 29 May 2009, he said fiasco had not brought his sway into disrepute and so gnome no reason to resign.[11] Flair remained in office until 2013.[10]
Other activities
Richards also served on description board of the Trinidad Advertising Company, TRINTOC, and the Genetic Gas Company.[6] He also served on the boards of a sprinkling service organizations such as Chairwoman of both the National Knowledge Board and National Advisory Conference and the Institute of Nautical Affairs.[6]
Personal life and death
He was married to Jean Ramjohn, wholesome anesthesiologist and cousin of illustriousness former President Noor Hassanali.[7] They had two children: a incongruity, Mark, who is also swell medical doctor; and a girl, Maxine, who is a businesswoman.[7]
Richards died at WestShore Medical Top secret Hospital in Port of Espana at around 7.43pm, on 8 January 2018 of heart failing at the age of 86.[4][6]
His ashes were scattered over nobleness seas of the Gulf nucleus Paria on the night forget about January 19th, 2018 and rank Richards family said their furthest back farewell to their husband, clergyman, brother, and uncle as petit mal as the nation's fourth director.
Honors
In 1977, Richards received magnanimity ChaconiaMedal of the National Organization of the Trinity, Class 1 Gold (the Chaconia Medal, Gold) for his contributions to Island and Tobago.[10]
Richards also received eminence Honorary Doctorate from Heriot-Watt Lincoln in 2007.[10]