William John Butterworth

Major-General William John Butterworth CB (10 June 1801 – 4 November 1856) was the governor of the Straits Settlements from August 1843 to 21 March 1855.[1] In 1851, when the Straits Settlements were transferred from the authority of the Governor of Bengal to be directly under the control of the Governor-General of India, Butterworth remained as governor.

William John Butterworth
5th Governor of the Straits Settlements
In office
August 1843 – 21 March 1855
MonarchQueen Victoria
Preceded bySir Samuel George Bonham
Succeeded byEdmund Augustus Blundell
Personal details
Born10 June 1801
Died4 November 1856(1856-11-04) (aged 55)
Parents
  • Captain William Butterworth (father)
  • Ann Hodgkinson (mother)
ProfessionColonial administrator,
Military officer

Career

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Butterworth joined the army in Madras and rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the 38th Madras Regiment. While he was governor of the Straits Settlements, Butterworth was instrumental in establishing the Singapore Volunteer Corps.[2] Butterworth was later promoted to major general in 1855.[3]

Personal life

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Butterworth's parents were Captain William Butterworth RN and his wife Ann (née Hodgkinson). Captain Butterworth died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Awards and honours

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Butterworth was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 1838 Coronation Honours.[4]

Legacy

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The town of Butterworth, Penang is named after him.

References

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  1. ^ Ben Cahoon. "Singapore". worldstatesmen.org. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  2. ^ Corfield, Justin (2 December 2010). Historical Dictionary of Singapore. Scarecrow Press, Inc. ISBN 9780810873872. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  3. ^ "No. 6465". The Edinburgh Gazette. 9 February 1855. p. 163.
  4. ^ "No. 19638". The London Gazette. 20 July 1838. p. 1661.
Government offices
Preceded by Governor of the Straits Settlements
1843 – 1855
Succeeded by