Francis Light
Encyclopedia
Captain Francis Light was the founder of the British
colony of Penang
(in modern-day Malaysia) and its capital George Town
in 1786.
, Suffolk, England on 15 December 1740. His mother was given as Mary Light, though his father preferred to remain anonymous. He was taken in by a relative, the nobleman William Negus, and educated in elementary school with the Negus children, but was apprenticed early to a Naval Surgeon. It was initially thought that Light was the illegitimate son of William Negus, but according to Noël Francis Light Purdon, the 6-times great-grandson of Francis Light, Negus was paid to look after him and be his guardian throughout his schooling.
midshipman
from 1759 to 1763, but went out to seek his fortune in the colonies. From 1765, he worked as a private country trader.
For about ten years he had his headquarters in Salang
, Siam, near Phuket
, reviving a failed French trading post. While living there he learned to speak and write several languages, including Malay
and Siamese
. In 1785, he warned the Thais on Phuket Island of an imminent Burmese
attack. Light's warning enabled the islanders to prepare for Phuket's defence and subsequently repel the Burmese invasion.
On behalf of the British East India Company
, he leased the island of Penang
from the Sultan of Kedah, where many others had failed, and was supposedly given a Princess of Kedah as a reward. (Other sources state that the Princess was sent to covet Light's aid on behalf of the Sultan).
The multicultural colony of Penang
became extraordinarily successful from its inception and Light served as the Superintendent of the colony until his death.
on 21 October 1794 and was buried at the Penang Protestant cemetery
on Northam Road (now Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah) in George Town. A statue, which bears his name but has the facial features of his son William, stands at Fort Cornwallis in George Town.
Light had four daughters and two sons with Martina Rozells, who was said to be of Portuguese and Siamese lineage. Martina is occasionally referred to in the literature as the Princess of Kedah, as above. If they were legally married, he did not declare it. However, it was against East India Company rules to marry a Catholic and, as Martina was Catholic, Light may have tried to avoid dismissal by never declaring his marriage. He did leave her his considerable property.
Their son, Colonel William Light
, was the first Surveyor General
of the Colony of South Australia
; William is famous for choosing the site of the colony's capital, Adelaide
, and designing the layout of the streets and parks in the Adelaide city centre
, North Adelaide
and the Adelaide Park Lands
.
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
colony of Penang
Penang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
(in modern-day Malaysia) and its capital George Town
George Town, Penang
George Town was voted as one of the best cities in Asia by Asiaweek, ranked 6th in 1998 and 9th in 2000. More recently, George Town has improved a notch to rank as the 9th most liveable city in Asia in a survey of 254 cities worldwide according to an international location ratings survey by , an...
in 1786.
Early years
Light was baptised in DallinghooDallinghoo
- Location :Dallinghoo is a village some 3 miles north of Woodbridge, Suffolk, England.Formed from Church Road and Pound Hill to the south and branches NE after the centre of the village....
, Suffolk, England on 15 December 1740. His mother was given as Mary Light, though his father preferred to remain anonymous. He was taken in by a relative, the nobleman William Negus, and educated in elementary school with the Negus children, but was apprenticed early to a Naval Surgeon. It was initially thought that Light was the illegitimate son of William Negus, but according to Noël Francis Light Purdon, the 6-times great-grandson of Francis Light, Negus was paid to look after him and be his guardian throughout his schooling.
Career
Light served as a Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
midshipman
Midshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
from 1759 to 1763, but went out to seek his fortune in the colonies. From 1765, he worked as a private country trader.
For about ten years he had his headquarters in Salang
Salang
Salang is also the name of several locations named for these people:*Afghanistan*Salang, Afghanistan -town**Salang mountains**Salang tunnel**Salang pass**Salang river**Salang district of Parwan province*Salang, Nepal, a town in Nepal...
, Siam, near Phuket
Phuket Province
Phuket , formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon , is one of the southern provinces of Thailand...
, reviving a failed French trading post. While living there he learned to speak and write several languages, including Malay
Malay language
Malay is a major language of the Austronesian family. It is the official language of Malaysia , Indonesia , Brunei and Singapore...
and Siamese
Siamese
Siamese most commonly refer to:*The Thai language*The Thai people*Someone or something from Thailand: see Siam *Siamese *Siamese twinsAmongst animals:*Siamese Crocodile*Siamese mud carp...
. In 1785, he warned the Thais on Phuket Island of an imminent Burmese
Bamar
The Bamar are the dominant ethnic group of Burma , constituting approximately two-thirds of the population. The Bamar live primarily in the Irrawaddy basin, and speak the Burmese language, which is also the official language of Burma. Bamar customs and identity are closely intertwined with general...
attack. Light's warning enabled the islanders to prepare for Phuket's defence and subsequently repel the Burmese invasion.
On behalf of the British East India Company
British East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
, he leased the island of Penang
Penang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
from the Sultan of Kedah, where many others had failed, and was supposedly given a Princess of Kedah as a reward. (Other sources state that the Princess was sent to covet Light's aid on behalf of the Sultan).
The multicultural colony of Penang
Penang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
became extraordinarily successful from its inception and Light served as the Superintendent of the colony until his death.
Family
Light died from malariaMalaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
on 21 October 1794 and was buried at the Penang Protestant cemetery
Old Protestant Cemetery, George Town
Old Protestant Cemetery, also known as Northam Road Cemetery is a Christian cemetery in George Town, Penang , Malaysia.-History and description:...
on Northam Road (now Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah) in George Town. A statue, which bears his name but has the facial features of his son William, stands at Fort Cornwallis in George Town.
Light had four daughters and two sons with Martina Rozells, who was said to be of Portuguese and Siamese lineage. Martina is occasionally referred to in the literature as the Princess of Kedah, as above. If they were legally married, he did not declare it. However, it was against East India Company rules to marry a Catholic and, as Martina was Catholic, Light may have tried to avoid dismissal by never declaring his marriage. He did leave her his considerable property.
Their son, Colonel William Light
William Light
Colonel William Light was a British military officer and the first Surveyor-General of the Colony of South Australia...
, was the first Surveyor General
Surveyor General
The Surveyor General is an official responsible for government surveying in a specific country or territory. Originally this would often have been a military appointment, but is now more likely to be a civilian post....
of the Colony of South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
; William is famous for choosing the site of the colony's capital, Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, and designing the layout of the streets and parks in the Adelaide city centre
Adelaide city centre
The Adelaide city centre is the innermost locality of Greater Adelaide, known by locals simply as "The City" or "Town". The locality is split into two key geographical distinctions: the city "square mile", bordered by North, East, South and West Terraces; and that part of the Adelaide Parklands...
, North Adelaide
North Adelaide
North Adelaide is a predominantly residential precinct of the City of Adelaide in South Australia, situated north of the River Torrens and within the Adelaide Park Lands.-History:...
and the Adelaide Park Lands
Adelaide Park Lands
The Adelaide Park Lands are the parks that surround the centre of the South Australian capital city of Adelaide. They measure approximately 7.6 square kilometres in a green belt encircling the city centre....
.
See also
- Suffolk House, PenangSuffolk House, PenangIn Penang, Malaysia, the Suffolk House refers to two early residences built on the same site located some four miles west of George Town, Penang, on the banks of the Air Itam River...
- Governor of PenangGovernor of PenangThis is the list of people who have held the highest political office in Penang and its previous entities. Penang is a state in Malaysia.Until the 18th century, the island of Penang was part of the Sultanate of Kedah. In 1786, the island was leased by the Sultan of Kedah to an officer from the East...
- Light (surname)Light (surname)Light is a surname of English language.Light may refer to:*Alan Light , US journalist and music reviewer*Bill Light & Billy Light - see William Light *Douglas Light Light is a surname of English language.Light may refer to:*Alan Light (fl. 1990s-present), US journalist and music reviewer*Bill Light...
- History of PenangHistory of PenangThe history of Penang is closely related to the history of Kedah. Penang was previously part of the sultanate of Kedah until it became a British possession in 1786...
- Koh Lay HuanKoh Lay HuanKoh Lay Huan was a wealthy and educated man, who had earlier rebelled against the Manchu Qing Dynasty and fled to Siam and the Malay States, to eventually settle in Penang as its first Kapitan China...