Seymour Vesey-FitzGerald

For the Irish statesman, see William Vesey-FitzGerald, 2nd Baron FitzGerald and Vesey.

The Right Honourable Sir William Vesey-FitzGerald GCSI GCIE
Governor of Bombay
In office 6 March 1867 – 6 May 1872
Monarch	Victoria
Preceded by	Henry Bartle Frere
Succeeded by	Sir Philip Edmond Wodehouse
Personal details
Born	1818 (1818) County Clare
Died	28 June 1885 (1885-06-29) Oxford, Oxfordshire
Nationality	British
Political party	Conservative
Alma mater	Christ Church, Oxford Oriel College, Oxford

Sir William Robert Seymour Vesey-FitzGerald GCSI, GCIE, PC (1818 – 28 June 1885) was a British politician and colonial administrator. He served as Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs between 1858 and 1859 and as Governor of Bombay between 1867 and 1872.

Background and education

FitzGerald was the illegitimate son of William Vesey-FitzGerald, 2nd Baron FitzGerald and Vesey. He was educated at both Christ Church, Oxford and Oriel College, Oxford, graduating with a degree in Classics in 1837.

Political career

FitzGerald was elected member for Horsham in 1848, but was unseated on petition. In 1852 he was once again elected for Horsham and was able to hold the seat until 1865. He served under the Earl of Derby as Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs between 1858 and 1859. In 1866 he was appointed Governor of Bombay, admitted to the Privy Council and made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India and Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire. On his return to Britain, he again represented Horsham in parliament from 1874 to 1875. In 1875, he was appointed Chief Charity Commissioner.

See also

• Baron FitzGerald and Vesey

References

• Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Sir William Vesey-FitzGerald
• "Archival material relating to Seymour Vesey-FitzGerald". UK National Archives.