A Postmaster General, in Anglosphere countries and in the Thurn-und-Taxis Post, is the chief executive officer of the postal service of that country, a ministerial office responsible for overseeing all other postmasters.
History The practice of having a government official responsible for overseeing the delivery of mail throughout the nation originated in England. A 'Master of the Posts' is mentioned in the King's Book of Payments, with a payment of £100 being authorised for Sir Brian Tuke as 'Master of the King's Post' in February 1512. In 1517, he was appointed to the office of 'Governor of the King's Posts', a precursor to the office of Postmaster General of the United Kingdom, by Henry VIII.Walker (1938), p. 37 In 1609, it was decreed that letters could only be carried and delivered by persons authorised by the Postmaster General.
In the United Kingdom, the office of Postmaster General was abolished in 1969. It was replaced by the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications. In 2000, its functions were transferred to the Secretary of State at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
International International equivalents include: JurisdictionOfficial titleYearsScotlandPostmaster General for Scotland1616–1707United StatesUnited States Postmaster General1775–presentIrelandPostmaster-General of Ireland1784–1831Sri LankaPostmaster General of Sri Lanka1815–presentNew ZealandPostmaster-General of New Zealand1858–1989Hong KongPostmaster General of Hong Kong1860–presentCanadaPostmaster General of Canada1867–1981AustraliaPostmaster-General of Australia1901–1975
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