There were five royal governors of North Carolina. George Burrington served from 1731 until 1733. Gabriel Johnson, who served the longest, served from 1734 until 1752. Next in line was Arthur Dobbs, serving from 1754 until 1763. William Tryon, the builder of Tryon Palace, served as governor from 1765 until 1771. The last royal governor to serve Joasiah Martin, who served from 1771 until 1775.