A process for the production of 1,4-butanediol comprises catalytically hydrogenating a hydrogenatable precursor therefor in contact with hydrogen-containing gas and a hydrogenation catalyst comprising at least one noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table and at least one of rhenium, tungsten and molybdenum deposited on a carbon support, wherein the carbon support has been contacted with an oxidizing agent selected from the group consisting of nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, ammonium persulfate and perchloric acid prior to the deposition of the metals. The above oxidized carbon support is also provided.