Everything about Richard Graves Macdonnell totally explained
Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell KCMG CB (
Chinese translated name: 麥當奴) (
3 September,
1814 –
5 February,
1881) was an
Anglo-Irish lawyer, judge and colonial governor. His posts as governor included
Governor of the British Settlements in West Africa,
Governor of Saint Vincent,
Governor of South Australia,
Governor of Nova Scotia and
Governor of Hong Kong.
Early life
Richard MacDonnell was born in
Dublin 8 September,
1814. He was the second son of The Rev. Richard MacDonnell (1787-1867) D.D., Provost (Chancellor) of Trinity College, Dublin (a member of the Tynekill MacDonnells), by his wife Jane (1793-1882), the second daughter of
The Very Rev. Richard Graves (1763-1829) D.D., Dean of Ardagh. MacDonnell was educated at
Trinity College, Dublin, where he was a scholar
1833, and graduated
B.A. in
1835,
M.A. in
1836,
LL.B. in
1845, and
LL.D. in
1862.
Legal Career, Early Colonial Services
MacDonnell was called to the Irish bar in
1838, and to the English bar, at Lincoln’s Inn on
25 January 1841. On
20 July 1843, he was appointed chief justice of
The Gambia, and on
1 October 1847,
governor of the British settlements on Gambia.
While holding that post, MacDonnell conducted several exploring expeditions, opening up the interior of
Africa from the
Gambia River to the
Senegal River. He also organized and accompanied some military expeditions, with success, against native tribes who had long oppressed the traders of the river.
In
1852, he was nominated as lieutenant governor of
St. Lucia, but without taking up the post he was sent on
10 January 1853 to become administrator and captain-general of the island of
St. Vincent. He was Lt.-General of St Vincent 1853-54.
Governor of South Australia
MacDonnell was the sixth governor of
South Australia, he arrived
9 June 1855, taking over from
Boyle Finniss who had been acting since
Henry Young left. MacDonnell was soon involved in the debate on the composition of the legislature; MacDonnell favoured a single chamber while the majority of colonists preferred a two-house system. Eventually a two-house system prevailed, although the upper house had a property franchise. Difficulties between the governor and officials led to several changes of government.
MacDonnell aided in opening up the
Murray River and in developing the resources of the colony.
He left South Australia on
4 March 1862.
MacDonnell was afterwards
Governor of Nova Scotia from
28 May 1864 until October
1865.
Governor of Hong Kong
On
19 October,
1865, MacDonnell was appointed as the sixth
Governor of Hong Kong, a position in which he served until 1872. During his tenure, MacDonnell developed
Victoria Peak, which would eventually become the premier residential quarters in Hong Kong, accessible only to rich European merchants. MacDonnell also ordered the construction of a hospital which catered to the needs of the local Chinese population. In addition, he legalized gambling in Hong Kong which led to social problems and was later made illegal once again.
Finally, MacDonnell's administration was marred by a huge budget deficit, which resulted in the government asking the
HSBC for a financial aid package. The administration was also damaged by the actions of the
Canton Customs agency, who patrolled the waters off Hong Kong and boarded ships to search for smuggled goods. This was called by Hong Kong's British merchant community a blockade, and affected Hong Kong's economy for the next 20 years.
Post-Governorship, Retirement
Following his retirement from the public service on a pension, MacDonnell was gazetted
C.B. on
12 February 1852, and was knighted by the Queen at
Buckingham Palace on
28 January,
1856. On
23 February,
1871, MacDonnell was created a
K.C.M.G..
Personal life
MacDonnell married Blanche Ann, daughter of Francis Skurray, in
1847, and died at
Hyères,
France, on
5 February,
1881. He was buried in
Kensal Green Cemetery.
Publications with his involvement
- The Church of the Future, an address by the Rev. Thomas Binney in 1859
- Christian Union, as discussed by the Bishop of Adelaide
- "Sir R. C. MacDonnell, &c.,, 1859
- A lecture on ‘Australia,’ Dublin, 1864
Places named after him
The MacDonnell Ranges in the south of the Northern Territory of Australia.
Port MacDonnell near Mount Gambier
MacDonnell Creek in the northern Flinders Ranges.
MacDonnell Road in Mid-levels on Hong Kong Island.
The town of Blanchetown and the station and waterhole of Blanchewater on MacDonnell Creek, all in South Australia, were named after his wife.Further Information
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