The Lawson dynasty governed Petit Popo for nearly two centuries. Eight sovereigns and several regents have succeeded one another since the ancestor Lattay Awoku. Here is the complete chronology, from 1821 to today.
Lattay Awoku
AncetreFirst intermediary between the Glidji kingdom and European navigators in the mid-18th century.
Lawson Ier
SouverainTogbe Akwetey Georges Akuete Zankli Lawson I. Founder of the Lolan kingdom on March 30, 1821. Created Togo's first school in 1852. Received the first Methodist missionary in 1843.
Regence Atchromitan
RegentLattay Atchromitan Lawson, son of Lawson I. Managed the transition.
Lawson II
SouverainTogbe Alexandre Boevi Zankli Lawson II. Continued the commercial and diplomatic work.
Regence Edmund
RegentBrief transition before Lawson III.
Regence WTG
RegentWilliam Thomas Tevi George Agamazon Lawson. Laying the groundwork for the royal title claim.
Lawson III
SouverainTogbe Daniel George Cummings Tagodoe Lattay Betum Zankli Lawson III. First to explicitly claim the title of king. Author of the petition to Wilhelm II.
Regence Kpavuvu
RegentJackson Lattey Kpavuvu Lawson.
Lawson IV
SouverainTogbe Jackson Lattey Kpavuvu Zankli Lawson IV. Managed the end of the German protectorate and the beginning of the French mandate.
Regence Hetchelly
RegentPost-war transition.
Lawson V
SouverainTogbe Frederick Boevi Body Zankli Lawson V. Preserved customary autonomy under French administration.
Regence Gaizer
RegentGlynn Babington Boevi Gaizer Lawson.
Lawson VI
SouverainTogbe Glynn Babington Boevi Gaizer Zankli Lawson VI. Brief reign before independence.
Regence Savado
RegentRaphael Abalovi Savado Lawson. Last regent before Togo's independence.
Lawson VII
SouverainTogbe Rudolph George Tevi Banku Zankli Lawson VII. First king of the post-independence era. Reigned 31 years under the dual monarchy.
Regence Zodanou
RegentMichel Late Zodanou Hetchelly Lawson.
Lawson VIII
SouverainTogbe Claude Late Savado Zankli Lawson VIII. Most recent sovereign. Died in 2021 after 19 years of reign.
Prince Regent
RegentLatevi Adondjegoun Body Lawson. Current Prince Regent, managing day-to-day affairs until the next king's enthronement.