Anthony Mamo

Sir Anthony Joseph Mamo, KUOM OBE QC (9 January 1909 – 1 May 2008) was the first President of Malta and previously served as the last Governor-General of the State of Malta before the country became a republic. He was also the first Maltese citizen to be appointed Governor-General, and before independence, briefly served as acting Governor.

His Excellency Sir Anthony Mamo KUOM OBE QC
1st President of Malta
In office 13 December 1974 – 27 December 1976
Prime Minister	Dom Mintoff
Preceded by	Elizabeth II as Queen of Malta Himself as Governor General of Malta
Succeeded by	Anton Buttigieg
2nd Governor General of Malta
In office 4 July 1971 – 13 December 1974
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Prime Minister	Dom Mintoff
Preceded by	Maurice Dorman
Succeeded by	Himself as President of Malta
Chief Justice of Malta
In office 1957–1971
Preceded by	Luigi Camilleri
Succeeded by	John Cremona
Personal details
Born	9 January 1909 Birkirkara, Malta
Died	1 May 2008 (aged 99) Mosta, Malta
Political party	Independent
Spouse(s)	Margaret Agius ​ ​ (m. 1939; died 2002)​
Children	3

Biography

Mamo was born in the town of Birkirkara, the son of Joseph Mamo and Carla Brincat. He was educated at the University of Malta where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1931 and his law degree in 1934. He was in private practice for a year before joining the civil service. He served as Crown Counsel from 1942 and later became attorney general.[1]

Mamo was never involved directly in politics. He was appointed as Chief Justice of Malta in 1957 where he served until 1971 when he was appointed as Governor-General, the first Maltese to hold that office, serving until 13 December 1974, when Malta was proclaimed a republic. He served as president from that date until he was succeeded by Anton Buttigieg on 27 December 1976.[1]

Mamo was married to Lady Margaret (née Agius) from 1939 until her death in 2002. They had three children; Josephine (married to Victor E. Tortell), Monica (married to George Pisani) and John (married to Tessa née' Scicluna).

Mamo died on 1 May 2008 at the age of 99, at Casa Arkati in Mosta.[2][1]

• 
  The house were Anthony Mamo was born. A plaque commemorates this on the façade
• 
  Memorial monument found at the back of St Helen's Basilica, Birkirkara

Honours

•  Malta : Companion of Honour of the National Order of Merit (06.04.90) by right as a former President of Malta[1]

• Commonwealth of Nations :
  • Officer of the Order of the British Empire (1955),
  • Knight Bachelor (1957)

References

1. Sir Anthony Mamo: State funeral tomorrow; The Times of Malta, 1 May 2008
2. Malta's first President dies aged 99, Times of Malta, 2 May 2008