George Bonham
| Sir Samuel George Bonham, Bt | |
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| 3rd Governor of Hong Kong | |
| In office 21 March 1848 – 13 April 1854 |
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| Preceded by | Sir John Francis Davis |
| Succeeded by | Sir John Bowring |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 September 1803 London, England, UK |
| Died | 8 October 1863 (aged 60) |
| Spouse(s) | Ellen Emelia Barnard |
Sir Samuel George Bonham, 1st Baronet KCB (Chinese Translated Name 文咸 or 般咸) (7 September 1803 – 8 October 1863) was a British colonial governor, who became the 3rd Governor of Hong Kong.
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[edit] Background
Samuel George Bonham was born in Feversham, Kent on 7 September 1803.[1] He was the son of Captain George Bonham, of the maritime service of the East India Company.[1] His mother, Isabella, the daughter of Robert Woodgate, was his father's second wife.[1]
[edit] Early career
Bonham became Governor of the Straits Settlements in 1837, a post he held for the next six years.
[edit] Governor of Hong Kong
After a period of service with the East India Company, he was appointed Governor of Hong Kong and plenipotentiary and superintendent of trade in China on 21 March 1848. During his tenure Bonham cut government spendings to balance the budget and also stimulated the Real Estate market in order to increase government income. His method of increasing government income eventually became the major source of income for the Hong Kong government a century later. He was awarded a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1850. Two years later he was created a Baronet, of Malmesbury, in the County of Wiltshire.
Bonham was known for his calm demeanor and gentle nature. It was due to these qualities that Bonham gained the trust of the British Government and the good relationship of many Hong Kong people. During his governorship, the pirates ruled the water. The Navy had a hard battle with Cheung Po Tsai[dubious ] and repulsed them. He retired in April 1854.
[edit] Personal life
In 1846, Bonham married Ellen Emelia Barnard, the eldest daughter of Thomas Barnard.[1] They had one son, George Francis Bonham (28 August 1847 – 31 July 1927). Bonham's wife died in 1859 and he survived her until 8 October 1863, dying aged 60, of undisclosed causes.
[edit] Legacy
The later Malay name for Fort Canning in Singapore was Bukit Tuan Bonham, named after him. Bonham St in Raffles Place, in Singapore. Bonham Road, Bonham Strand, Bonham Strand West, and Bonham Road Public Elementary School on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong were all named after him.
[edit] References
[edit] Bibliography
- Dod, Robert P. (1860). The Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage of Great Britain and Ireland. London: Whitaker and Co..
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Kenneth Murchison |
Governor of the Straits Settlements 1837 – 1843 |
Succeeded by William John Butterworth |
| Preceded by Sir John Francis Davis |
3rd Governor of Hong Kong 1848 – 1854 |
Succeeded by Sir John Bowring |
| Baronetage of the United Kingdom | ||
| New creation | Baronet (of Malmesbury) 1852 – 1863 |
Succeeded by George Francis Bonham |
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