List of Governors of Minorca

Below is a list of (known) governors of Minorca from the time of the British occupation in 1708 until the British relinquished control of the island for the last time in 1802.


It was commonplace for governors to be absent from the island, and several never set foot there. Minorca changed hands several times in the 18th century. It was ruled by Britain from its initial capture in 1708 until 1756, then occupied by France for seven years until the Peace of Paris (1763) when it was returned to Britain. In 1781, the island fell to a Spanish invasion, and in 1783, Britain ceded the island to Spain. It was captured by the British for a final time in 1798 and occupied until it was returned in 1802 to Spain.

Spanish rule (15th century – 1707)

British rule (1708–1756)

French occupation (1756–1763)

British rule (1763–1782)



During the absence of the Governor or Lieutenant-Governor, the island was governed by the military commandant: Colonel John Crawford until his death in 1765, and Major-General John Barlow from 1770.[4]

British occupation (1798–1802)

Restored to Spain (1802–present)

As part of the Balearic Islands, Minorca was later governed by insular councils before devolved government came into effect in 1977.

See also

References and sources

  1. 1 2 The London Gazette: no. 10306. p. 2. 23 April 1763.
  2. The London Gazette: no. 11511. p. 1. 22 November 1774.
  3. The London Gazette: no. 11983. p. 2. 1 June 1779.
  4. Robert Beatson, A political index to the histories of Great Britain and Ireland, volume II (London, 1806) page 167