# Chris Patten

_British politician and colonial administrator (born 1944)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/chris-patten
Last updated: 2026-11-03

> Christopher Francis Patten, Baron Patten of Barnes, is a British politician who was the Chairman of the Conservative Party from 1990 to 1992, and the 28th and last Governor of Hong Kong from 1992 to 1997. He was made a life peer in 2005 and served as Chancellor of the University of Oxford from 2003 to 2024. He is one of the two living former governors of Hong Kong; the other is David Wilson.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 12 May 1944 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23368#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Cleveleys ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23368#P19))
- **Citizenship:** United Kingdom ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23368#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; pedagogue; writer; adviser ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23368#P106))
- **Political party:** Conservative Party ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23368#P102))
- **Education:** Balliol College; St Benedict's School ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23368#P69))
- **Positions held:** Chair of the BBC (1 May 2011 – 6 May 2014); member of the House of Lords (since 11 January 2005); Chancellor of the University of Oxford (20 September 2003 – 31 July 2024); European Commissioner for External Relations (16 September 1999 – 22 November 2004); Chancellor of the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1999–2009); Governor of Hong Kong (9 July 1992 – 30 June 1997); Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (28 November 1990 – 10 April 1992); Chairman of the Conservative Party (28 November 1990 – 11 May 1992); Secretary of State for the Environment (24 July 1989 – 28 November 1990); member of the 50th Parliament of the United Kingdom (11 June 1987 – 16 March 1992); Secretary of State for International Development (10 September 1986 – 24 July 1989); Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (13 June 1983 – 10 September 1985); member of the 49th Parliament of the United Kingdom (9 June 1983 – 18 May 1987); member of the 48th Parliament of the United Kingdom (3 May 1979 – 13 May 1983); Member of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23368#P39))
- **Awards:** Robert Schuman Medal; Honorary doctor of the University of Szczecin; Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, 1st Class; Grand Officer of the Order of the Star of Romania; Commander of the Legion of Honour; Knight of the Garter; honorary doctorate from University of Grenoble-II ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23368#P166))

## Questions

**When was Chris Patten born?**  
Chris Patten was born on 12 May 1944 in Cleveleys.

**What positions has Chris Patten held?**  
Positions held by Chris Patten include: Chair of the BBC (2011–2014); member of the House of Lords (since 11 January 2005); Chancellor of the University of Oxford (2003–2024); European Commissioner for External Relations (1999–2004); Chancellor of the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1999–2009).

**Where did Chris Patten study?**  
Chris Patten was educated at Balliol College, St Benedict's School.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Chris Patten](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Patten) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q23368](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23368) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Official portrait of Lord Patten of Barnes crop 2.jpg by Roger Harris (CC BY 3.0)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Official_portrait_of_Lord_Patten_of_Barnes_crop_2.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Chris Patten, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Official portrait of Lord Patten of Barnes crop 2.jpg — Roger Harris, CC BY 3.0.

## Cite this page

"Chris Patten". DigiNepal. Last updated 3 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/chris-patten. Retrieved 4 November 2026.