John Francis Davis

For other people named John Davis, see John Davis (disambiguation).

Sir John Francis Davis 1st Baronet KCB
2nd Governor of Hong Kong
In office 8 May 1844 – 21 March 1848
Preceded by	Sir Henry Pottinger
Succeeded by	Sir George Bonham
Personal details
Born	John Francis Davis (1795-07-16)16 July 1795 London, England, Great Britain
Died	13 November 1890(1890-11-13) (aged 95) United Kingdom
Nationality	British
Spouse(s)	Emily Hurnfravs
Relations	Samuel Davis (father), William Thomas Mercer (uncle)
Alma mater	Oxford University
Occupation	Politician

Sir John Francis Davis, 1st Baronet KCB (Chinese Translated Name: 戴維斯 or the obsolete term 爹核士) (16 July 1795 – 13 November 1890) was a British diplomat, Sinologist, and the 2nd Governor of Hong Kong. He was the son of Samuel Davis and nephew to William Thomas Mercer (later Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong).

Early career

John Davis was appointed writer in East India Company's factory at Canton in 1813. Because of his linguistic abilities, he was chosen to accompany Lord Amherst on his embassy to Peking in 1816.

On the return of the mission, Davis again took up his duties in the factory at Canton, and was promoted to be president in 1832. He was appointed the joint commissioner in China with Lord Napier in 1834.

In March, 1822 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.

Governor of Hong Kong

In 1844, Davis became British plenipotentiary and chief superintendent of British trade in China, and governor and commander-in-chief of the colony of Hong Kong, until 1848.

On 8 May 1844, he was appointed to be the governor of Hong Kong.

On 16 July 1844, his home was robbed.

During his tenure, Davis was very much hated amongst Hong Kong residents and British merchants during his administration because of the establishment of various taxes, which increased the burden of all citizens, and his abrasive treatment of his subordinates.

On a much lighter note, weekend racing began during his tenure, which gradually evolved as a Hong Kong institution.

Also, during his tenure, Davis organized the first Hong Kong Census, and it indicated that at that time, there were 23,988 people living in Hong Kong.

On 21 March 1848, his row with the local British merchants increased, and Davis resigned his commission and left Hong Kong.

Death

He died on 13 November 1890 at the age of 95.

Legacy

Mount Davis, as well as Mount Davis Path, Mount Davis Road, and Davis Street in Hong Kong were all named after him. The Davis Street extends from the praya, New Praya, Kennedy Town, across Catchick Street, Hau Wo Street and Belcher's Street, to Forbes Street.

Features of Davis Street

• No. 1 Davis Street: Grand Fortune Mansion
• No. 2 Davis Street: Davis Street Garden
• No. 8 Davis Street: The Merton

Awards and honours

• Baronet, 1845
• Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, 1854
• Doctor of Civil Law, Oxford University, 1876

Works

• Sir John Francis Davis (1824). A vocabulary, containing Chinese words and phrases peculiar to Canton and Macao, and to the trade of those places: together with the titles and addresses of all the officers of Government, Hong merchants, &c. &c. alphabetically arranged, and intended as an aid to correspondence and conversation .... printed at the Honorable Company's Press, by P.P. Thoms. p. 77. Retrieved 2011-07-06. 
• John Francis Davis, The Chinese: A General Description of the Empire of China and Its Inhabitants (London: Charles Knight, 1836). volume one; volume two
• John Francis Davis, 'Sketches of China; partly during an inland journey of four months between Peking, Nanking, and Canton; with notices and observations relative to the present war.' Charles Knight & Co., Ludgate Street. London. 1841. In 2 volumes.
• China, during the war and since the peace

See also

• History of Hong Kong

References

• Leigh Rayment's list of baronets

External links

• Works by John Francis Davis at Project Gutenberg

Baronetage of the United Kingdom
Preceded by New creation	Baronet (of Hollywood) 1845–1890	Succeeded by Francis Boileau Davis