Richard Graves MacDonnell

Sir Richard MacDonnell

Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell , K.C.M.G. C.B. (Chinese Translated Name 麥當奴) (3 September, 1814 – 5 February, 1881) was a British 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

MacDonnell was born in Dublin 8 September, 1814. He 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. From 8 June 1855 to 4 March 1862 he was governor of South Australia, where he aided in opening up the Murray River and in developing the resources of the colony. He was afterwards Governor of Nova Scotia from 28 May 1864 until October 1865.

Governor of Hong Kong

In 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 the rich and famous. MacDonnell also ordered the construction of a hospital catered to the needs of the local Chinese population. In addition, MacDonnell legalized gambling in Hong Kong, which led to widespread 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. Also, the administration was 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 as a blockade, and it 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 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 Hong Kong.
• The town of Blanchetown and the station and waterhole of Blanchewater on MacDonnell Creek, all in South Australia, were named after his wife.

See also

• History of Hong Kong

External links

• Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
• Dictionary of Australian Biography

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