Richards was born at his family's home in San Fernando in South Trinidad in 1931 as one of five children in the family. He was of Amerindian and Chinese descent. His father, George Richards, was a barrister while his mother, Henrietta Martin was a housewife and teacher. He received his primary education there before winning an exhibition to attend Queen's Royal College in Port of Spain. From May 1950 to September 1951, he worked for the United British Oilfields of Trinidad at Point Fortin. He received a scholarship from them to study chemical engineering. Richards then attended the University of Manchester, where he took a BEng degree and an MEng degree. He subsequently obtained a PhD degree in chemical engineering from the University of Cambridge.
Early career
Richards returned to Trinidad and worked for Shell Trinidad Ltd from 1957 to 1965 before joining the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of the West Indies, eventually attaining the post of Professor of Chemical Engineering in October 1970. From August 1980 to May 1985, Richards served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Principal of the University. He served as Acting Principal of the St. Augustine Campus from October 1984 to May 1985, and was confirmed in the position in 1985. Richards served as Principal through the turbulent period in 1988 when the government slashed the university's budget by 30% and instituted a cess on university students. Richards managed to keep the university afloat through this difficult period and retired as Principal in November 1996 although he continued to teach as Professor Emeritus until he was elected President. Richards also served on the Boards of many Trinidad and Tobago companies including that of the state-owned oil company, Trintoc, the National Gas Company and the Trinidad Publishing Company.
Presidency
Although the position of President is a primarily ceremonial one, Richards had been outspoken in his criticism of the upsurge of crime in Trinidad and Tobago. He was also well known for his involvement in Carnival. He was the first President of the Republic who was not an attorney. Richards was re-elected to a second five-year term as President by the Electoral College on 11 February 2008. He was the only candidate, and the Electoral College met for only three minutes. In May 2009, Richards faced calls to resign for bungling the appointment of the Trinidad and Tobago Integrity Commission, whose members all resigned for various reasons within a week of being sworn in on 1 May 2009, even as Richards embarked on a three-week foreign vacation. In a televised address to the nation on 29 May 2009, he said he had not brought his office into disrepute and so saw no reason to resign. He remained in office until 2013.
Other activities
Richards also served on the board of the Trinidad Publishing Company, TRINTOC, and the National Gas Company. He also served on the boards of several service organizations such as Chairman of both the National Training Board and National Advisory Council and the Institute of Marine Affairs.
