Sir Arnott Samuel Cato, KCMG, MB, Ch.B (Edin), Hon. LL.D (UWI) was a distinguished Vincentian Physician Surgeon and Statesman who spend most of his life in Barbados. He was a former President of the Senate of Barbados.

Early life and education

Sir Arnott was born in St. Vincent on 24 September 1912.  After qualifying, he worked in St. Vincent for one year before going to Barbados where he stayed, giving over 60 years’ work to this country, mainly in the fields of medicine and politics.

Career

He was successively a medical officer at the Barbados General Hospital, Visiting Surgeon at the General Hospital and later at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), and an Honorary Consultant until his death in February 1998.  While at the QEH, he was Chairman of the Medical Staff Committee for many years.  In addition, Sir Arnott had a thriving private gynaecological practice.  Barbados and hundreds of persons in Barbados were delivered by him.

His political posts included Member of the Legislative Council, President of the West Indies Senate (1959-1962), and President of the Barbados Senate (1976 – 1986).  He was at one-time Chairman of the Public Service Commission.  He was a member of the Privy Council and acted as Governor-General on many occasions.

He had a predominant interest in education, training and research. He played a big part in the establishment of the Eastern Caribbean Medical Scheme of the UWI, and he chaired several important commissions of the UWI.

Death and legacy

Sir Arnott dies on 19 February 1998 in Barbados, aged 85.  He is burried in Westbury cemetery, Barbados.

The Arnot Cato Foundation was established in his honour with the main objectives of assisting in the promotion of efficiency and productivity of human resources at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) of Barbados.

Resources

PHOTO GALLERY

President of the Federal Senate Dr. Arnot Cato. with Sen. Margurite Wyke of Trinidad and Tobago. [Ebony, June 1960]