Former Governor Sir Peter Ramsbotham, an architect of modern Bermuda, died yesterday aged 90.

He not only helped to reduce the racial inequalities of the island but built its foundations as an international business jurisdiction.

Faced with some of the most turbulent times in Bermuda's history, he quelled the riots of 1977 and went on to pioneer lasting social change through the Pitt Commission and its findings.

As Governor from 1977 to his retirement in 1980, Sir Peter's is said to have viewed Bermuda's people as his favourite quality of the Island.

"He loved the people of Bermuda and its beauty," said his former Aide-de-Camp Kim White last night.

"He used to say Shakespeare had it right, this island is a paradise."

Mr. White, now a lawyer, described Sir Peter as "a great servant of Bermuda".

"He who worked diligently to bring together people of all backgrounds and outlooks on life towards healing the divisions between the races," he said.

"Sir Peter governed during a very turbulent and difficult period in Bermuda's history. He worked assiduously with his wife Lady (Frances) Ramsbotham, touching all aspects of the community."

Sir Peter made his wife's dream of opening a home for the physically-handicapped a reality when he helped to attract funding for 'Summerhaven' in Smith's. The couple's own daughter was disabled after a riding accident in the 1970s.

Mr. White said: "He was a very positive, interesting man and an engaging raconteur. He was also an avid reader and enjoyed birdwatching around the Island."

Sir Peter died yesterday at his home in Hampshire, England, after a long illness.

Educated at Eton College and Magdalen College, Oxford, he joined the Foreign Service in 1950 after serving in the Intelligence Corps of MI5 during the Second World War. In 1945 he was Mentioned in Dispatches.

Sir Peter was appointed British Ambassador to Iran in 1971 and then British Ambassador to the US in 1974. In Washington he enjoyed a close relationship with President Jimmy Carter.

His appointment to Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Bermuda was not an easy posting.

Shortly after his arrival riots erupted in an outburst of anger at racial injustices and the hanging of Erskine Durrant (Buck) Burrows and Larry Tacklyn.

Burrows, 33, was executed for the murders of Police Commissioner George Duckett on September 9, 1972, Governor Sir Richard Sharples and his Aide-de-Camp (ADC) Captain Hugh Sayers on March 10, 1973, and supermarket owner Victor Rego and his bookkeeper Mark Doe a month later.

Tacklyn, 26, was executed for the supermarket double-murder, which took place during an armed robbery.

Despite a petition for clemency by 6,000 people, they were sentenced to death and hanged on December 2, 1977. The verdict sparked three days of rioting and Sir Peter took the decision to call in British troops.

The Army restored peace to the streets but not the underlying roots of discontent. In a bid to ascertain the causes, Sir Peter called for an inquiry and the Pitt Commission was established.

Chaired by Lord Pitt, a black British Labour Party peer, the hearings from April 1978 reviewed Bermuda's Constitution in addition to footage of the riots and testimonies of those present.

It concluded the roots of the problem lay in inequality of opportunity between the races, and recommended a raft of policies to improve the situation.

Commenting on Sir Peter's legacy yesterday, Premier of the time Sir David Gibbons said: "It was fortunate for Bermuda we had him here as Governor in those trying times.

"He pushed through the Pitt Commission, which showed he was very conscious of understanding the social problems of the time and moving to a peaceful solution.

"There was much unrest after the hanging of Tacklyn and Burrows, and the threat of a general strike. Sir Peter talked with the Opposition and set up the Pitt Commission so these voices could be heard."

Sir David said the Governor also encouraged legislation to bring international business to the Island, such as with the Insurance Act 1978.

"He was Ambassador to Washington and so had wonderful contacts," he said. "He knew a lot of people in Congress so was able to introduce us to many people, which was invaluable when it came to working with the US.

"He was a brilliant man and he became a very good friend. It was an honour to have him as a friend in the years after his retirement."

Independent Senator Walwyn Hughes, a former civil servant who served as Secretary to the Pitt Commission, said last night: "Sir Peter was a wise counsel to me on many occasions. He was a quiet and studious man, very thoughtful.

"It was a difficult time in our history and he did the right thing by approving a Commission. I think it achieved quite a lot, in that it recognised a lot of the problems of the time and suggested directions, many of which were implemented.

"In my dealings with him he was always fair and reasonable. He was very capable and sincere. He was a good Governor."

Premier Ewart Brown said: "On behalf of the Government and the people of Bermuda, I wish to extend our sincerest sympathies to the family of Sir Peter Ramsbotham.

"He served as the representative of the United Kingdom in Bermuda at what was a turbulent and tempestuous period of our history, and his actions in the performance of his role will be remembered for generations to come."

Sir Peter leaves a wife, Dr. Zaida Hall, and two sons.