Archive of Sir Gordon James Lethem

Collection

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The collection covers all periods of Lethem's career except the time he spent in the Seychelles. The bulk of the material relates to his time spent in Nigeria. Included is: correspondence; reports and related papers; some diaries; a number of papers in Arabic; printed books, pamphlets, and newspapers; and minutes and opinions on subjects of particular interest to the Governments of Nigeria or British Guiana (Guyana).

Dates

Creation: 1902-1961

Extent

1.01 linear metres (23 boxes)

Language of Materials

English
Arabic
French

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MSS. Brit. Emp. s. 276 Lethem 1, folder 1, fol. 1].

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Full range of shelfmarks:

MSS. Brit. Emp. s. 276 Lethem 1-22*

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 2911

Additional Description

Abstract

Archive of Sir Gordon James Lethem, concerning his career in the Colonial Service.

Biographical / Historical

Sir Gordon James Lethem, CMG (Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George) (1934), KCMG (Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George) (1936), was born in Scotland on 16 Sep 1886. He was educated at Daniel Stewart's in Edinburgh; Mill Hill School; Edinburgh University; Grenoble University; and in Spain.

Lethem entered the Colonial Service and in 1911 was appointed Assistant District Officer in Northern Nigeria; he later became District Officer. During World War I, he served in the Cameroons (Republic of Cameroon) (1914-1915). In 1924, he became Resident of Bornu (Borno) province in Nigeria, and during 1925 he travelled on official missions in Sudan, Egypt, and Hejaz. He was appointed Secretary for Native Affairs, and Secretary of the Northern Provinces, and in 1931 became Acting Lieutenant-Governor of the Northern Provinces (1931-1933).

In 1933, Lethem left Nigeria when he was appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Seychelles (1933-1935). In 1936, he was appointed Governor of the Leeward Islands (1936-1941). On leaving the Leeward Islands, Lethem had expected to take up the post of Governor of Sierra Leone; however, this appointment was changed to that of Governor and Commander-in-Chief of British Guiana (Guyana), a post he held until his retirement in 1946.

Lethem was Honorary Colonel of the British Guiana Regiment (1944), Vice President of the Scottish Liberal Party (1950), and President of the Scottish National Council of the United Nations Association. He died on 14 Aug 1962.