Paul Scoon

Grenada's governor general from 1978 to 1992 was a politician from Grenada named Paul Scoon. He is one of the most important historical figures in Grenada. His administration is remembered for the chaotic events surrounding the emergence and collapse of the People's Revolutionary Government, as well as for his participation in and support of the Grenada invasion.

On July 4, 1935, Scoon was born in Gouyave, a city on Grenada's west coast. The Grenada Boys' Secondary School was his next stop after St. John's Anglican School. Then, before continuing on to study at the University of Leeds in England and earning an M.Ed. at the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Soon got an external degree from the University of London.

On the recommendation of the Prime Minister, Sir Eric Gairy, Scoon was chosen by Queen Elizabeth II to serve as the Governor-General of Grenada in 1978. But the New Jewel Movement, led by Bernard Coard and Hudson Austin, two of Scoon's and Bishop's old students, deposed Gairy in an almost bloodless revolution the year after.

The extremists first detained Scoon, but he was quickly freed when they apologized. The insurgents wished to maintain Grenada's constitutional monarchy and the Governor-role General's as the country's official representative of Queen Elizabeth II. Even though Bishop's communist administration adhered to Marxist-Leninist ideas, Scoon and Bishop were able to preserve a semi-normal working relationship. The revolutionaries saw Scoon as a helpful figurehead who would assist their connections with Canada and the United Kingdom as well as smooth over worldwide recognition for their new rule. Even though he was displeased that some of his rights had been restricted, Scoon was glad to continue serving as president and maintaining some stability in the situation. While playing tennis with Bishop, he upheld his discretionary reputation.