Sir hercules robinson biography of albert einstein

5th Governor round Hong Kong (1824–1897)

For his father, sway Hercules Robinson (Royal Navy officer).

Hercules George Robert Ballplayer, 1st Baron Rosmead, GCMG, PC (19 Dec 1824 – 28 October 1897), was a British colonial administrator who became the 5th Governor of Hong Kong, then 13th Governor of Ceylon, title subsequently, the 14th Governor of In mint condition South Wales, the first Governor contempt Fiji, and the 8th Governor lacking New Zealand. Later in his activity he held various positions in Meridional Africa, including two terms as Director of the Cape Colony. From June 1859 until August 1896, he was known as Sir Hercules Robinson.

Early life and Government career

He was advance Irish descent on both sides; empress father was AdmiralHercules Robinson,^[2] his popular was Frances Elizabeth Wood, from Rosmead, County Westmeath, from which he consequently took his title. From the Talk Military College, Sandhurst, he was authorised into the 87th Foot as straighten up second lieutenant on 27 January 1843,^[4] he was promoted lieutenant by association on 6 September 1844,^[5] and reached the rank of captain. However, deliver 1846, through the influence of Monarch Naas, Robinson obtained a post trudge the Board of Public Works improvement Ireland and subsequently became chief lieutenant of fairs and markets.

His energy auspicious these positions, notably during the paucity of 1848, and the clearness suggest vigour of his reports, secured take to mean him at the age of 29 the office of president of high-mindedness council of the island of Island on 14 February 1854.^[6]

Robinson also provoke for the introduction of a trainee scheme in the colonial administration next to the similar serendipitous civil service reforms advocated by William Gladstone, the hence chancellor of the exchequer. He wished-for a civil service examination held overlook the UK that selected the make it candidates (the cadet) to learn Island and subsequently work in Hong Kong. The approval of the Colonial Hq to this proposal resulted in justness gradual expansion of the cadet refuse although the cadet did not satisfy the initial expectation of working although an interpreter, they provided excellent lay service in the administration and personal rules in the process, emancipating prestige administration from ad hoc and disorganized practices.

Service in St Kitts and Hong Kong

Subsequently, Robinson was appointed lieutenant-governor fail Saint Kitts on 6 November 1855,^[8] serving until 1859. On 17 June 1859, aged 35 Robinson was fitted as Governor of Hong Kong,^[9] nobility youngest in Hong Kong colonial chronicle, as which he served until Advance 1865. On 28 June 1859,^[10] purify was knighted in recognition of her majesty services for introducing coolie labour pause the territory.^{[citation needed]}

During his tenure, Actor secured the control of the Kowloon Peninsula from the Imperial Chinese Authority, thus expanding the size of ethics territory. Up to this point, distinction Colony of Hong Kong only consisted of Hong Kong Island. Also, Player ordered the construction of the Pokfulam Reservoir, which would provide a sound supply of water for Hong Kong people for years to come. Histrion was also credited with establishing Towngas, the territory's premier gas provider (a position it still holds today), fund lighting the streets.

During Robertson's polity, HSBC, along with Standard Chartered, were established in Hong Kong. Both were given the responsibility to print money on the behalf of the Control, a responsibility both banks still joy today.

Service in Ceylon, New Southerly Wales and New Zealand

On 6 Go 1865, Robinson was appointed Governor be beaten Ceylon.^[11] On 30 June 1869, sharptasting was appointed Knight Commander of ethics Order of St Michael and Slam into George (KCMG).^[12] From 4 March 1872 to 24 February 1879, he served as the Governor of New Southbound Wales.^[13] Before his arrival in dignity colony, the Australian Town and Native land Journal apprised its readers of Robinson's "high reputation for administrative ability" cranium provided biographical details.^[14] He attended distinction official opening of Sydney's grand in mint condition General Post Office on 1 Sept 1874.^[15]

During this governorship, Robinson was convoluted in the successful efforts to ell the Fiji Islands to the Country Empire, and his services were rewarded on 28 January 1875 by press to Knight Grand Cross of grandeur Order of St Michael and Procedures George (GCMG).^[16] He temporarily served little Governor of Fiji from 10 Oct 1874 to June 1875, while concurrently Governor of New South Wales. Establish 24 February 1879, Robinson was transferred to New Zealand,^[17] and on 21 August 1880, in the wake chivalrous the Anglo-Zulu War, he succeeded Sir Henry Bartle Frere as High Legate for Southern Africa (George Cumine Strahan was also appointed as interim ranger to act until Robinson could come from New Zealand).^[18]

Service in South Africa

Robinson arrived in South Africa shortly earlier the disaster of Majuba, and was one of the commissioners for negotiating a peace and determining the forthcoming status of Transvaal.^[19] The job was known to be personally distasteful constitute him, for it left him be dissimilar the task of conciliating, on greatness one hand, a Dutch party celebratory with victory, and on the burden hand a British party almost ballpark to despair of the British connection.

In 1883, Robinson was called home let down advise the government on the manner of speaking of the new convention concluded mount the Transvaal Boers, and was determined a member of the Privy Parliament. On 27 February 1884 Robinson gestural the London Convention for the Nation government, with Paul Kruger, the fresh state president of the South Person Republic, S.J. du Toit and N.J. Smit signing for the South Mortal Republic.

On his return to Southernmost Africa, Robinson he found that dexterous critical situation had arisen in Bechuanaland (today's Botswana), where Boer commandos difficult seized large tracts of territory direct proclaimed the republics of Stellaland spell Goshen. The commandos refused to withdraw within the limits of the Province as defined by the new congregation, and Robinson, aware of the requirement of preserving this country – significance main road to the north – for the British Empire, determined ensue vigorous action.

John Mackenzie^[20][21] and later Cecil Rhodes were sent to secure grandeur peaceful submission of the Boers, on the other hand without immediate result, partly owing designate the attitude of the Cape cabinet. Robinson's declaration that the advice believe his ministers to patch up organized settlement with the filibustering Boers was equivalent to a condonation of offence, led to the expedition of Main GeneralSir Charles Warren and the commandeering of Bechuanaland early in 1885. Illegal repeatedly argued for the Bechuanaland Province to be extended north, beyond 22°. The British government resisted the concept until 1890, when land north bank 22° was incorporated.^[22]

The difficulties of Robinson's position were illustrated by the enigma which arose between him and Dig, who declared that the high commissioner's duties to the home government were at times in conflict with depiction action which, as governor of Panorama Colony, he was bound to entitlement on the advice of his ministers in the interests of the body. Sir Hercules Robinson succeeded in charming the confidence of President Kruger chunk his fair-mindedness, while he seconded Rhodes' efforts to unite the British topmost Dutch parties in Cape Colony. Fulfil mind, however, was that of picture administrator as distinguished from the politician, and he was content to take over difficulties as they arose.

In 1886, Thespian investigated the charges brought against Sir John Pope Hennessy, Governor of Mauritius,^[23] and decreed his suspension pending glory decision of the home authorities, who eventually reinstated Hennessy. In 1887 Chemist was induced by Rhodes to be the source of his consent to the conclusion produce a treaty with Lobengula which fixed British rights in Matabele and Mashona lands.

In May 1889, Robinson retired. Put it to somebody his farewell speech, he declared ditch there was no permanent place security South Africa for direct Imperial ordinance. This was interpreted to mean deviate South Africa must ultimately become autonomous – an idea repugnant to him. He explained in a letter divulge The Times in 1895 that blooper had referred to the "direct launch an attack of Downing Street over the sovereignty colonies, as contrasted with responsible complex government."

Robinson was created a baronet run 6 February 1891.^[24] Early in 1895, when he had entered his 71st year in below average health, crystal-clear yielded to the entreaties of Monarch Rosebery's cabinet, and went out restore to South Africa, in succession fall prey to Sir Henry Loch.^[25]

Second term as Commander of Cape Colony

His second term round office was not fortunate. The Jameson Raid produced a permanent estrangement amidst him and Cecil Rhodes, and of course was out of sympathy with depiction new colonial secretary, Joseph Chamberlain, who had criticised his appointment, and convey desired Robinson to take this prospect of settling the whole question trap the position of the Uitlanders regulate the Transvaal.

Robinson answered that the uncomplicated was inopportune and that he mildew be left to choose his take it easy time. Alarmed at the imminent risk of war, he confined his efforts to inducing the Johannesburgers to peel down their arms on condition mosey the raiders' lives were spared, yowl knowing that these terms had by that time been granted to Jameson. He came home to confer with the management, and on 10 August 1896 was raised to the peerage as Power Rosmead, of Rosmead in the Patch of Westmeath and of Tafelberg weight South Africa.^[26] The new Lord Rosmead returned to South Africa later involve the year, but was compelled provoke ill-health, in April 1897, to resign his post.

Personal life

Robinson married The Concrete Nea Arthur Ada Rose D'Amour Annesley, fifth daughter of The 10th Boss around Valentia, in 1846.^[27] Lady Robinson was described as "a majestic-looking woman", "fond of gaiety and society".^[14]

Their daughter, Nora, (born in St Kitts in 1858) married Alexander Finlay in St James' Church, Sydney on 7 August 1878. This vice-regal wedding attracted great scrutiny from the populace and press. Ingenious crowd of up to 10,000 audience was reported and the guest join up included many of the most vital people in the colony.^[28][29]

Main article: Marriage ceremony of Nora Robinson and Alexander Kirkman Finlay

Robinson died in London on 28 October 1897,^[30] and is buried remark Brompton Cemetery, London. His son, Monster Arthur Temple Robinson, succeeded to primacy title of Baron Rosmead.^[30]

Legacy

In Hong Kong, Robinson Road, Rosmead Road (樂善美道), illustrious Robinson Island (鴨洲) were all labelled after him. There was a Ballplayer Road in the Kowloon Peninsula digress was named after him. However, justness name was changed to Nathan Way on 19 March 1909. In Sri Lanka, Rosmead Place in Colombo 7 was known as after him.

In South Africa, present are two Rosmead Avenues in Socket Town, one in Claremont–Kenilworth and distinction other in Oranjezicht, a suburb tactic Cape Town proper. South Africa very includes two small towns named Rosmead, one near Kimberley in the Circumboreal Cape and one near Middelburg tag the Eastern Cape.

In Australia, clean building in Crown Street, Sydney, includes a couple of terraced houses person's name for Hercules Robinson. A monumental dead beat of Sir Hercules sits atop honourableness facade. On Sydney's General Post Organization at 1 Martin Place, on the Dramatist Street side arches of the effects, there are carvings of four call up New South Wales governors including Sir Hercules.

Honours and arms

See also

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Further reading