Governor of Penang
Encyclopedia
This 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 India Company
, Francis Light
. Light renamed the island "Prince of Wales Island." In 1790, after suffering a military defeat at the hands of Light, Sultan Abdullah formally handed over the island to the British
. Light was appointed Superintendent of Prince of Wales Island. From 1800 to 1805, the island was led by a Lieutenant Governor.
In 1805, Prince of Wales Island became a Residency, led by a Governor. In 1826, the island, along with Malacca
and Singapore
, were consolidated into the Straits Settlements
. Thereafter, Penang was administered by a British Resident Councillor subordinate to the Governor of the Straits Settlements.
Penang was occupied by the Japanese
from 1941 to 1945. After the surrender of the Japanese, the British returned and briefly imposed military rule on Malaya before forming the Malayan Union
in 1946. During the Malayan Union and the pre-independence Federation of Malaya
period, Penang was administered by British Resident Commissioners.
Since independence, the head of state
of Penang, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (also known as Governor), has been appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong
(King of Malaysia) on the advice of the Prime Minister
. The Yang di-Pertua Negeri retains only ceremonial functions, including opening and dissolving the State Assembly, conferring state awards and appointing the Chief Minister after elections. The Chief Minister is the head of the executive branch of the state government.
In 1851 the Straits Settlements, while still remaining a Residency, was transferred from the authority of the Governor of the Presidency of Bengal and put under direct control of the Governor-general of India. The powers previously invested in the Governor of Bengal were now vested in the Governor of the Straits Settlements.
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...
and its previous entities. Penang is a state in Malaysia.
Until the 18th century, the island of Penang
Penang Island
Penang Island is part of the state of Penang, on the west coat of Peninsular Malaysia. It was named Prince of Wales Island when it was occupied by the British East India Company on 12 August 1786, in honour of the birthday of the Prince of Wales, later King George IV...
was part of the Sultanate of Kedah
Kedah Sultanate
The Sultanate of Kedah was the earliest sultanate on the Malay Peninsula and one of the oldest Sultanates in the world, founded in year 1136.-Kedah Kingdom:...
. In 1786, the island was leased by the Sultan of Kedah to an officer from the East India Company
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...
, Francis Light
Francis Light
Captain Francis Light was the founder of the British colony of Penang and its capital George Town in 1786.-Early years:...
. Light renamed the island "Prince of Wales Island." In 1790, after suffering a military defeat at the hands of Light, Sultan Abdullah formally handed over the island to the British
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...
. Light was appointed Superintendent of Prince of Wales Island. From 1800 to 1805, the island was led by a Lieutenant Governor.
In 1805, Prince of Wales Island became a Residency, led by a Governor. In 1826, the island, along with Malacca
Malacca
Malacca , dubbed The Historic State or Negeri Bersejarah among locals) is the third smallest Malaysian state, after Perlis and Penang. It is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, on the Straits of Malacca. It borders Negeri Sembilan to the north and the state of Johor to the south...
and Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, were consolidated into the Straits Settlements
Straits Settlements
The Straits Settlements were a group of British territories located in Southeast Asia.Originally established in 1826 as part of the territories controlled by the British East India Company, the Straits Settlements came under direct British control as a crown colony on 1 April 1867...
. Thereafter, Penang was administered by a British Resident Councillor subordinate to the Governor of the Straits Settlements.
Penang was occupied by the Japanese
Japanese occupation of Malaya, North Borneo and Sarawak
Throughout much of World War II, British Malaya, North Borneo and Sarawak were under Japanese occupation.The Japanese Empire commenced the Pacific War with the invasion of Kota Bahru in Kelantan on 8 December 1941 at 00:25, about 90 minutes before the Attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii at 07:48 on 7...
from 1941 to 1945. After the surrender of the Japanese, the British returned and briefly imposed military rule on Malaya before forming the Malayan Union
Malayan Union
The Malayan Union was a federation of the Malay states and the Straits Settlements of Penang and Malacca. It was the successor to British Malaya and was conceived to unify the Malay Peninsula under a single government so as to simplify administration. The Malayan Union later became the independent...
in 1946. During the Malayan Union and the pre-independence Federation of Malaya
Federation of Malaya
The Federation of Malaya is the name given to a federation of 11 states that existed from 31 January 1948 until 16 September 1963. The Federation became independent on 31 August 1957...
period, Penang was administered by British Resident Commissioners.
Since independence, the head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
of Penang, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (also known as Governor), has been appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
(King of Malaysia) on the advice of the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Malaysia
The Prime Minister of Malaysia is the indirectly elected head of government of Malaysia. He is officially appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the head of state, who in HM's judgment is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of that House of Representatives , the...
. The Yang di-Pertua Negeri retains only ceremonial functions, including opening and dissolving the State Assembly, conferring state awards and appointing the Chief Minister after elections. The Chief Minister is the head of the executive branch of the state government.
Superintendents of Prince of Wales Island
| # | Superintendent | Took office | Left office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Captain Francis Light Francis Light Captain Francis Light was the founder of the British colony of Penang and its capital George Town in 1786.-Early years:... |
|||
| Philip Manington Philip Manington Philip Manington arrived as the first magistrate of the Prince of Wales' Island and governed the land as Superintendent and acting governor of Prince of Wales' Island, after Sir Francis Light, from 1794. Ill health caused by the unhealthy living conditions at the time forced him to resign in 1796.... |
Acting | |||
| 2 | Major Forbes Ross MacDonald Forbes Ross MacDonald Major Forbes Ross MacDonald , a gentleman in the service of the Nabob of Arcot, was appointed by Governor-general Sir John Shore as superintendent of Prince of Wales Isle to succeed Philip Manington who had resigned due to ill health.... |
May 1799 | ||
| John Beanland John Beanland John Walton Beanland was a building contractor and Mayor of Christchurch from 1936 to 1938.Beanland Avenue in Spreydon, Christchurch is named in his honour.-References:... |
Acting for MacDonald | |||
| George Caunter George Caunter George Caunter governed the Prince of Wales' Island as Acting Superintendent in 1797 during Superintendent Major Forbes Ross MacDonald's leave of absence and again in 1799 upon the resignation and departure of MacDonald... |
May 1799 | Acting |
Lieutenant Governors of Prince of Wales Island
| # | Lieutenenat Governor | Took office | Left office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir George Alexander William Leith George Alexander William Leith Major General Sir George Alexander William Leith, the second Baronet, , K.C.B. O.B was the first Lieutenant-Governor of Prince of Wales' Island taking the reins over from George Caunter, a Magistrate who was Acting Superintendent following the resignation and departure of the last governor,... |
1804 | ||
| 2 | Sir Robert Townsend Farquhar Robert Townsend Farquhar Sir Robert Townsend Farquhar, 1st Baronet was an influential British merchant of the early nineteenth century who served as a colonial governor and Member of Parliament.During his lengthy service for both the East India Company and the British government,Farquhar gained a reputation as an... |
1804 | 1805 | |
Governors of Prince of Wales Island
| # | Governor | Took office | Left office | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philip Dundas Philip Dundas Philip Dundas, newly appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Penang, arrived at the newly created Presidency of the British East India Company, between the 18th and the 24th of September, 1805, together with his Council and the subordinate officials, including his Deputy Secretary, Stamford Raffles, who... |
September 1805 | |||
| Henry Shepherd Pearson Henry Shepherd Pearson Henry Shepherd Pearson was acting Governor of Penang from 1807 to 1808.According to "The Worthies of Westmorland", by George Atkinson, Henry Shepherd Pearson was the second son of Sir Richard Pearson and Hannah Shepherd. He was christened at Saint Mary the Virgin in Dover, Kent on 8 February 1777... |
Acting | ||||
| 2 | Colonel Norman Macalister Norman Macalister Colonel Norman Macalister, who was a native of Scotland, was Lieutenant-Governor of Prince of Wales Isle from 1808 to 1810. The present brick structure of Fort Cornwallis in Penang, was built by convict labour in 1810 during his term as Governor of Penang. He was lost at sea, in the South China... |
1810 | |||
| 3 | Charles Andrew Bruce Charles Andrew Bruce Charles Andrew Bruce was Governor of Prince of Wales Isle in From March 24 1810 to December 1810. He died while still in office... |
December 1810 | |||
| William Edward Phillips William Edward Phillips William Edward Phillips was acting governor of the Prince of Wales' Island on three separate occasions; On the premature death of newly arrived Lieutenant-Governor Charles Andrew Bruce, Dec. 1810 till Archibald Seton arrived in 1811. On the premature death of Lieutenant-governor William Petrie in... |
1811 | Acting (first time) | |||
| 4 | Archibald Seton Archibald Seton Archibald Seton, Esq. was member of the Supreme Council at Fort William, Bengal, Lieutenant-Governor of the Prince of Wales' Island , President at the court of his Majesty Shah Allum at Delhi, among the many other roles he played during his long civil service with the British East India... |
Absent from 13 May 1812 | |||
| 5 | William Petrie William Petrie William Petrie was an Officer of the East India Company in Chennai during the 1780s. He set up a private observatory in his residence located in Egmore, Chennai, India. The main aim of the observatory was "to provide navigational assistance to the company ships and help determine the longitudes... |
October 1816 | Acting until September 1812 | ||
| William Edward Phillips William Edward Phillips William Edward Phillips was acting governor of the Prince of Wales' Island on three separate occasions; On the premature death of newly arrived Lieutenant-Governor Charles Andrew Bruce, Dec. 1810 till Archibald Seton arrived in 1811. On the premature death of Lieutenant-governor William Petrie in... |
October 1816 | 1817 | Acting (second time) | ||
| 6 | Colonel John Alexander Bannerman John Alexander Bannerman Colonel John Alexander Bannerman was appointed Governor of Prince of Wales' Island and Province Wellesley in 1817 and also Treasurer from 1818.... |
1817 | |||
| 7 | William Edward Phillips William Edward Phillips William Edward Phillips was acting governor of the Prince of Wales' Island on three separate occasions; On the premature death of newly arrived Lieutenant-Governor Charles Andrew Bruce, Dec. 1810 till Archibald Seton arrived in 1811. On the premature death of Lieutenant-governor William Petrie in... |
1819 | Acting until 4 June 1820 | ||
| 8 | Robert Fullerton Robert Fullerton (governor) Robert Fullerton, was born in 1773 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was the son of Rev. William Fullerton.-Career:Robert Fullerton was a Governor of Penang and also the first Governor of Straits Settlements, appointed by the Colonial Office, London... |
Governor of the Straits Settlements (1826–1830) | |||
Resident Councillors of Prince of Wales Island
| Portrait | Name | Period in office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Clubley | 1825–1826 | ||
| Robert Ibbetson Robert Ibbetson Robert Ibbetson was colonial governor of the Straits Settlements of Penang, Malacca, and Singapore from 1832 to 1834. Prior to that, Ibbetson had been Resident Councillor at Penang from 1826, i.e... |
1826–1 May 1830 | ||
Residents & Governors of the Residency of Prince of Wales Island, Singapore and Malacca (at George Town & Singapore)
| Portrait | Name | Period in office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Fullerton Robert Fullerton (governor) Robert Fullerton, was born in 1773 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was the son of Rev. William Fullerton.-Career:Robert Fullerton was a Governor of Penang and also the first Governor of Straits Settlements, appointed by the Colonial Office, London... (Resident) |
1 May 1930–12 November 1930 | ||
| Robert Ibbetson Robert Ibbetson Robert Ibbetson was colonial governor of the Straits Settlements of Penang, Malacca, and Singapore from 1832 to 1834. Prior to that, Ibbetson had been Resident Councillor at Penang from 1826, i.e... (Initially Resident) |
12 November 1830–7 December 1833 | ||
| Kenneth Murchison | 7 December 1833–18 November 1836 | ||
 |
Sir Samuel George Bonham, Bt | 18 November 1836–January 1843 | |
Deputy Residents & Resident Councillors, Prince of Wales Island
| Portrait | Name | Period in office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Ibbetson Robert Ibbetson Robert Ibbetson was colonial governor of the Straits Settlements of Penang, Malacca, and Singapore from 1832 to 1834. Prior to that, Ibbetson had been Resident Councillor at Penang from 1826, i.e... (Deputy Resident) |
1 May 1830–12 November 1830 | ||
| Kenneth Murchison (Initially Deputy Resident) | 12 November 1830–7 December 1833 | ||
| James William Salmond | 22 September 1834–1836 | ||
| Captain James Low (acting) | 1838 | ||
| Edmund Augustus Blundell | 1849–1855 |
In 1851 the Straits Settlements, while still remaining a Residency, was transferred from the authority of the Governor of the Presidency of Bengal and put under direct control of the Governor-general of India. The powers previously invested in the Governor of Bengal were now vested in the Governor of the Straits Settlements.
- 1851–1855: Edmund Augustus Blundell was Resident Councillor of Prince of Wales Isle / Penang until 1855.
- 18XX-1860: William Thomas Lewis, Asst. Resident Councillor of Prince of Wales' Isle was transferred to Resident Councillor of Malacca in 1854 upon the demise of Captain Hay Ferrier. He would later become Penang's commissioner of police and its Resident Councillor. On 6 December 1838, he was appointed to officiate as resident councillor at Malacca during the absence on leave of Mr. Garling. W. T. Lewis retired as Resident Councillor of Penang in September 1860. He had transferred to the Straits Settlements in 1825 and had served the Government of the Straits Settlements for about 54 years. He was Siamese Consul at Penang during Ord's Governorship. In 1856 he was Resident Councillor and Acting Governor of Penang.
- 1860–1867: Major General Henry Stuart Man was Resident Councillor of Penang (1860–1867). Major General Henry Man was born in 1815 and became known in 1834 as an ensign in the 49th Madras Native Infantry. He was the captain in 1848, serving in the second Anglo-Burmese was 1852–1853 later becoming executive engineer and superintendent of convicts at Mulmein, Burma. In 1858, he was the officer-in-charge of the detachment that secured the British landing at Port Blair and formally annexed the islands to the British Crown. In 1860, Lieutenant-Colonel Man, as he then was, was appointed Resident Councillor of Penang and served in that capacity until 1867. In 1868, Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Man returned to Port Blair as its fifth Superintendent while at the same time taking over the responsibility for the newly annexed Nicobar islands. The following year, his son, E.H. Man, joined him at Port Blair and the old Man relinquished his official position and was promoted to colonel. He was promoted to Major-General in 1881. He died at Surbiton, England, on 10 April 1898 was buried at Thames Ditton, Surrey.
Lieutenant-Governors, Penang
On 1 April 1867 the Straits Settlements were transferred from the control of the Indian Government to that of the Secretary of State for the Colonies in London (Colonial Office).- 1867–1871: Major General Archibald Edward Harbord AnsonEdward AnsonMajor General Archibald Edward Harbord Anson KCMG, was born on 16 April 1826 with a twin sister at 32 Devonshire Place. He was the youngest son of Major General Sir William Anson, 1st Baronet Anson K.C.B. and his mother was from the Dickenson family...
, Lieutenant-Governor of Penang under Governor-general Sir Harry St. George Ord at Singapore.
- 1871–1872: Arthur Nonus BirchArthur Nonus BirchArthur Nonus Birch was Lieutenant Governor of Ceylon, Colonial Secretary for Ceylon and acting Lieutenant Governor of Penang and Province Wellesley .The son of H.W.R...
, Actg. Lieutenant-Governor of Penang, Malaysia (1871–1872)
- 1872–1873: Sir George William Robert Campbell, KCMG, Inspector-General from 1866–1891 and Acting Lieutenant-Governor Of Penang from (1872–1873)
- 1873–1875: Major General Archibald Edward Harbord AnsonEdward AnsonMajor General Archibald Edward Harbord Anson KCMG, was born on 16 April 1826 with a twin sister at 32 Devonshire Place. He was the youngest son of Major General Sir William Anson, 1st Baronet Anson K.C.B. and his mother was from the Dickenson family...
, Lieutenant-Governor of Penang under Governor-general Sir Andrew Clarke at Singapore.
- 1875–1877: Major General Archibald Edward Harbord AnsonEdward AnsonMajor General Archibald Edward Harbord Anson KCMG, was born on 16 April 1826 with a twin sister at 32 Devonshire Place. He was the youngest son of Major General Sir William Anson, 1st Baronet Anson K.C.B. and his mother was from the Dickenson family...
, Lieutenant-Governor of Penang under Governor-general Sir William Jervois at Singapore.
- 1877-1877: Major General Archibald Edward Harbord AnsonEdward AnsonMajor General Archibald Edward Harbord Anson KCMG, was born on 16 April 1826 with a twin sister at 32 Devonshire Place. He was the youngest son of Major General Sir William Anson, 1st Baronet Anson K.C.B. and his mother was from the Dickenson family...
was Acting Governor of the Crown Colony of the Straits Settlements at Penang from 3 April 1877 to August 1877.
- 1877–1879: Major General Archibald Edward Harbord AnsonEdward AnsonMajor General Archibald Edward Harbord Anson KCMG, was born on 16 April 1826 with a twin sister at 32 Devonshire Place. He was the youngest son of Major General Sir William Anson, 1st Baronet Anson K.C.B. and his mother was from the Dickenson family...
, Lieutenant-Governor of Penang under Sir William Cleaver Francis RobinsonWilliam Cleaver Francis RobinsonSir William Cleaver Francis Robinson GCMG was a British colonial administrator and a musical composer, being the author of several well known songs...
at Singapore.
- 1879–1880: Major General Archibald Edward Harbord AnsonEdward AnsonMajor General Archibald Edward Harbord Anson KCMG, was born on 16 April 1826 with a twin sister at 32 Devonshire Place. He was the youngest son of Major General Sir William Anson, 1st Baronet Anson K.C.B. and his mother was from the Dickenson family...
was Acting Governor of the Crown Colony of the Straits Settlements at Penang from 10 February 1879 to 16 May 1880.
- 1879–1880: Charles John IrvingCharles John IrvingCharles John Irving, CMG, was acting Lieutenant-Governor of Penang from 1879 to 1880...
, Actg. Lieutenant-Governor of Penang (1879–1880)& Resident Councillor of Penang (1885–1887). He was Auditor General to the government of Penang under Anson. He was born in 1831 at Isabelle place in Camberwell, London. He been took up some appointments at Mauritius.
- 1880–1881: Major General Archibald Edward Harbord AnsonEdward AnsonMajor General Archibald Edward Harbord Anson KCMG, was born on 16 April 1826 with a twin sister at 32 Devonshire Place. He was the youngest son of Major General Sir William Anson, 1st Baronet Anson K.C.B. and his mother was from the Dickenson family...
, Lieutenant-Governor of Penang under Sir Frederick Weld at Singapore. Born 16 April 1826. His military experience began in 1844. He served in England, Ireland and Scotland from 1847–1855, Mauritius, 1857–1862 and Madagascar 1862–1865. He then returned to England and was appointed last Lieutenant Governor of Penang from 1867 to 1882, after serving in the army in India. In his memoirs "About Others and Myself." he describes the feeling of depression upon his appointment as Penang's Resident Councillor. He retired in 1881. It was during his appointment that the Penang Riots occurred. The riots ended when he negotiated a peace agreement between the contending parties; Red Flag and Tua Pek Kong members against the White Flag and the Ghee Hin. He was an Acting Governor of Straits Settlements from (4 March 1871 – 22 March 1872; November 3–4 1873; 3 April 1877 – 29 October 1877; 10 February 1879 – 6 May 1880). Anson died in 1925.
- 1881–1884: Major John Frederick Adolphus McNairJohn Frederick Adolphus McNairJohn Frederick Adolphus McNair -Career:McNair was educated at King's College London and at the School of Mines. He was a multi-talented civil servant in the service of the Straits Settlements...
, Actg. Lieutenant-Governor of Penang (1881–1884)& Resident Councillor of Penang (1884)only. He was born at Bath in 1828. Entered Madras Royal Artillery in 1845. In 1857, A.D.C. to Governor Blundell in Singapore. From 1865–1867 he was in England as deputy governor in charge of public works at Woking Prison. He retired in 1884. He died in 1910.
- 1884-1884: Captain David Thompson Hatchell, Acting Lieutenant-Governor of Penang. He was born 1840. He became Commissioner of the court request in Ayer Itam, Penang in 1876.
Resident Councillors, Penang
- 1884–1885: Major Samuel DunlopSamuel DunlopSamuel Dunlop, CMG served in several capacities as a member of the Straits Settlements civil service but is perhaps best known as the Inspector-General of Police, in Singapore.-Pangkor Treaty 1874:...
, Actg. Resident Councillor of Penang (1884–1885). D.G.M of Freemasons' Hall in 1885,Singapore.
- 1887–1897: Allan Maclean Skinner, Resident Councillor of Penang (1887–1897). Inspector General of Schools, Hospitals and Prisons under Anson. 1881 - Colonial treasurer and Auditor-General, Skinner was the first Resident Councillor who took residence at the official residence called Residency (now Seri Mutiara) in 1890. He was the President of George Town Municipal Council.
- 1887–1889: Sir William Edward Maxwell, Actg. Resident Councillor of Penang from(1887–1889). Actg. He was Lieutenant-Governor of Malacca in 1870.
- 1891–1895: Henry Trotter, Actg. Resident Councillor of Penang (24 October 1891 – 31 October 1892; 16 September 1894 – 7 December 1895). Born 1837 in Cape Colony, South Africa. Became a private secretary to the Governor of Dominica in 1852.In 1859,he received a clerkship in the office of Commander-in-chief (Duke of Cambridge) at the House Guards. Appointed as Deputy Comptroller of the Convict Establishment in Bermuda. Transferred to Ceylon as Inspector of Post Offices and later became Postmaster General. In 1871, appointed as Postmaster General of Straits Settlements. He became Auditor-General Of Straits Settlements in 1882.
- 1894–1895: Francis James Anderson, Actg. Resident Councillor of Penang
- 1897–1903: Charles Walter Sneyd-Kynnersley, Resident Councillor of Penang 5 May – 23 December 1897 / 8 April 1900 – 24 February 1901 – 1903). Acting Resident Councillor of Penang from (25 April 1889 – 9 March 1890; 4 February – 23 March 1897). Acting Resident Councillor of Malacca from ( 7 December 1893 – 1 January 1895; 31 December 1898 – 10 March 1899).Resident Councillor of Malacca from (1 January – 16 April 1895; 6 February 1896 – 4 February 1897). He was born on 25 September 1849. His first appointment was as a Cadet in April 1872 by the Secretary of State and was sent to the Colony the very next month. In October 1873, he passed Final Examination in Malay and was attached to the Lieutenant-Governor's Office, Penang, as Secretary Assistant. In 1875, he worked as the Assistant Magistrate and Commissioner Court of Request in Province Wellesley. He also served as the Secretary for Committee of Management of Penang Free School. He served as Third Magistrate in Singapore in 1880 and as Second Magistrate, the following year, before returning to Penang in the same year as First Magistrate. From 1890 to 1896, he held various posts including First Magistrate, Singapore. He married to Ada Maud Nash. He died in 1940.
- 1905–1906: James Kortright Birch, Actg. Resident Councillor of Penang from (3 March 1897 – Aug.1898; April 1901 – November 1902 – ?; 1903–1905) & Resident Councillor of Penang from (1905–1906). He was born on 12 August 1850. In 1872, he was appointed by the Secretary of State and was sent to the Colony to be attached to the Colonial Secretary's office. He passed Final Examination in Malay in 1873. In 1874, he was the Acting Deputy Collector of Land Revenue, Penang and the Magistrate and Coroner for the Settlement. In 1875, he was the Collector of Land Revenue, Penang. After home leave in 1876–77, he appointment as Acting Magistrate took him to work in Malacca and Singapore until 1882 when he returned to Penang to work as Acting Superintendent of Education in Province Wellesley. In 1888, he was appointed as Senior District Officer, Province Wellesley before becoming First Magistrate of Penang in 1890.
- 1907–1908: Robert Norman Bland, Resident Councillor of Penang from 17 February 1907 – 14 March 1908 and 7 May 1908 – 1910). Acting Resident Councillor in Malacca (22 April – 10 September 1900 and 26 November 1901 – 13 June 1903 and 15 October 1903 – 1 January 1905). Resident Councillor of Malacca (1 January 1905 – 13 March 1906). Acting Resident Councillor of Penang (22 November 1906 – 17 February 1907). Born on 10 October 1859. Arrived in the Colony February 1883 and was attached to the Colonial Secretary's Office as Cadet learning Chinese. In April of the same year, he was posted to Land Office, Malacca as a Cadet learning Malay and passed Final Examination in Malay in 1884. After a home leave in 1886, he was appointed Assistant to Resident Councillor, Penang before becoming District Officer of Balik Pulau in 1887 and District Officer, Nibong Tebal in the following year. He was Acting First Magistrate Penang before taking his second home in 1889. His next appointment after his home leave took him away from Penang to serve as Collector of Land Revenue, Singapore in 1890. Appointed Acting Officer in Charge, Negeri Sembilan from 1893–95. He was transferred to Singapore in 1896 to resume his duties as Collector of Land Revenue before returning to Penang in 1897 to work as Inspector of Prison, Straits Settlement as well as Senior District Officer, Province Wellesley. He became Acting Resident Councillor of Malacca (22 April – 10 September 1900). He became Resident Councillor of Malacca from (26 November 1901)
- 1910–1911: James Oliver Anthonisz, Actg. Resident Councillor of Penang ( 29 April 1910 – 18 January 1911).
- 1911–1912: William EvansWilliam Evans-Politicians and military:*William Evans , British Army officer during the War of Spanish Succession*William Evans , American Indian Wars soldier...
, Resident Councillor of Penang from (21 January 1911 – 11 May 1912 and 29 January 1913 – 13 February 1914). Acting Resident Councillor in Malacca from (15 March 1906 – 17 February 1907). Resident Councillor of Malacca (17 February – 4 September 1907; 25 February – 14 March 1908; May 8–29, 1908; 3 July 1908 – 15 February 1909; 29 May 1909 – 8 February 1910). Acting Resident Councillor of Penang (14 March – 8 May 1908). William Evans was born on 5 September 1860. He first came to the Colony in 1882 and was attached to the Chinese Protectorate Service, Singapore. In 1884, he was sent to Amoy to study Chinese (Hok-kien) and passed its Final Examination in 1885. He also passed Final Examination in Malay in 1888. From 1887 onwards, he continued to serve in Penang and Singapore as the Protector of Chinese in the Straits Settlement until 1902 while holding other post such as Municipal Commissioner for Singapore in 1896.
- 1914–1917: Alfred Thomas Bryant, Resident Councillor of Penang (1914–1917). Born on 4 October 1860. First came to Colony in 1883 and was attached to the Colonial Secretary's Office for two years. After passing his Final Examination in Malay in 1885, he was appointed Acting Third Magistrate, Penang in 1886 and as Acting Collector of Land Revenue, Penang a few months later. In 1890, he was promoted to District Officer of Dindings. After his home leave, he passed Final Examination in Tamil in 1892 and was transferred to Malacca as Acting Collector of Land Revenue and Officer in Charge of Treasury. In 1895, he was in Penang again as Acting First Magistrate, a position he held until he became First Magistrate in 1898, while becoming the Inspector of Schools, Straits Settlements since 1897.
- 1917–1919: Walter Cecil Michell, Resident Councillor of Penang from (7 October 1917 – 1919). Acting Resident Councillor of Penang from (18 May 1912 – 29 January 1913) and Acting Resident of Malacca from (11 June 1914 – 24 December 1915). Born in Kensington, London on 9 August 1864. First came to the Colony in 1887 and was attached to the Colonial Secretary's Office until 1888 when he was posted to Sungai Ujong, Negeri Sembilan as Acting Collector of Land Revenue. He passed his Malay Examination in 1889. From 1889 until 1890, he was in Ulu Pahang as Acting Superintendent before arriving in Penang in April 1890 to serve as Acting District Officer, Balik Pulau, but soon to be promoted as District Officer of the district in 1891. In 1895, after home leave, he was transferred to Dindings as Acting District Officer but soon afterwards as its District Officer while holding other duties as Deputy Registrar, Supreme Court, Penang. He was in Singapore from 1897–98 as Acting Second Assistant Colonial Secretary and as Acting Collector of Land revenue. He also passed Final Examination in Siamese in 1898, the year he was Acting Senior District Officer, Province Wellesley. In 1990, he was appointed Second Magistrate, Singapore and Official Assignee in 1901 before becoming Acting Commissioner, Court of Request Singapore in 1902. W.C. Michell loved polo, riding, shooting and member of various clubs in Penang.
- 1919–1922: Gilbert Amos Hall, Resident Councillor of Penang from 20 October 1919 – 27 February 1920 and 31 January 1921 – 1922). Acting Resident Councillor of Penang from (24 July – 20 October 1919). Born on 21 July 1867. He went to work for the Straits Settlements Civil Service, Singapore in 1888. In 1891, he passed Final Examination in Malay and was promoted to the Acting Third Magistrate, Penang the same year. In 1894, he was appointed as Acting District Officer, Dindings. A few months later, he passed Final Examination in Hok-kien and was appointed Superintendent of Education, Penang. He worked as Acting District Officer, Alor Gajah, Malacca, after returning from home leave in June 1895 until November 1896. In 1897, he was back in Penang to serve as Acting Second Magistrate and later as Sheriff and Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court, Singapore, while continued to act as Second Magistrate, Penang. In 1898, he served two positions as Second Assistant Colonial Secretary and Collector of Land Revenue, Penang. He was transferred to Malacca at the end of 1900 after his home leave as Acting Collector of Land Revenue and Officer in Charge of Treasury. In 1902, he worked as Collector of Land Revenue, Malacca. He was the British Adviser of Kedah (1916–1919). He still lived in Singapore in 1937.
- 1920: Harold William Firmstone, Acting Resident Councillor of Malacca, Malaysia (4 September 1907 – 6 September 1907; 14 March 1908 – 8 May 1908; 29 May 1908 – 3 July 1908). Acting Resident Councillor of Penang from 28 February 1920.
- 1922–1925: Arthur Blennerhassett Voules, Resident Councillor of Penang 9 December 1922 – 1925). Acting Resident Councillor of Penang 17 November 1922 – 9 December 1922. Born London 15 September 1870. Joined Perak government Service in 1892. Acting Federal Inspector of Schools at Kuala Lumpur in 1900. Captain of the Royal Selangor Golf Club in 1905. Solicitor-General, Straits Settlements in 1913. Acting Attorney General of Straits Settlements in 1919. Acting Judicial Commissioner of Federated Malay States in 1919. Acting Legal Adviser of Federated Malay States and legal advisor (Officer, Class 1A), both in 1920. President of Selangor Golf Club in 1920. He retired in 1925. He died in 1954. Compiled a book called The Laws of the Federated Malay States, 1877–1920.
- 1924: Stewart Codrington, Acting Resident Councillor of Penang 11 May – 8 October 1924. Codrington Avenue is named after him.
- 1925–1926: William Peel, Resident Councillor of Penang from 9 July 1925 – 9 May 1926. Born in Hexham, Northumberland on 27 February 1875. Joined the Colonial Service in 1897 as Cadet. Promoted to Acting District Officer of Nibong Tebal in 1898 and Bukit Mertajam in 1899 and Province Wellesley until 1901. Acting Second Colonial Secretary, Singapore in 1902. Returned to Penang in 1905 to serve as Acting Second Magistrate and Coroner. After serving as Acting Auditor in 1908 in Penang, he continued his service at various capacities in the Federated Malay States such as Acting Secretary to the Resident of Selangor in 1909 and Acting District Officer Lower Perak in 1910 before returning to Penang as President of the Municipal Commissioners Penang in 1911. Acting Resident Councillor of Penang from (26 February – 5 October 1917). Later he became president of the municipal commissioners of Singapore in 1918. In 1919 he was appointed as joint passage controller of labour for the Federated Malay States and Straits Settlements in 1920; and chairman of European Unemployment Committee in 1921. In 1922 he became British Adviser for Government of Kedah. He became Acting Resident Councillor of Penang from (10 May – 9 July 1925). In 1927,he acted as officer administering the government and High Commissioner for the Malay States, having been promoted to be Chief Secretary to Government in 1926.He was appointed Governor of Hong Kong in 1930. He retired in 1935. Peel Avenue is named after him.
- 1926–1928: Ralph Scott, Resident Councillor of Penang (9 June 1926 – 1928). Born 26 February 1874. First appointed as Cadet by the Secretary of State in 1895. In 1896, attached to the Colonial Secretary's Office. From 1897 until 1912, served various appointments in the Straits Settlements: Land Office in Malacca, Acting Deputy Registrar at Penang Supreme Court and Acting Collector of Land Revenue, Singapore. In 1912, promoted to Acting District Judge, Singapore and as Acting District Judge and First Magistrate of Penang in 1915. Acting Resident of Malacca (14 February 1909 – 25 July 1910) / Actg. Resident of Malacca from (15 March 1920 – 6 January 1921) /Actg. Resident Councillor of Penang from (10 September – 17 November 1922) /Actg. Resident Councillor of Penang from ( May 1926) /Resident Councillor of Malacca from (14 April 1925 – May 1926). Scott Road was named after him.
- 1928–1930: Captain Meadows Frost, Resident Councillor of Penang (8 July 1928 – 1930). Resident Councillor of Malacca (9 June 1926 – 25 March 1927). Acting Resident Councillor of Penang (8 April 1928 – 8 July 1928). Born on 18 April 1875. First joined the Colonial Service in 1898 as a cadet and promoted to Assistant District Officer of Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan in 1901 and Acting District Officer of Kuala Lipis, Pahang in 1902. Moved to Pekan, Pahang in 1904 also to serve as Assistant District Officer. In 1905, promoted to District Treasurer of Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. His next appointment took him to the Northern part of the Malay Peninsula where he was to act as British Consul to the Siamese Southern States in 1905 and as Acting British Adviser to His Royal Highness Raja of Perlis from 1909–1911. Acting British Adviser of Kedah in 1911. Acting Superintendent, Convict Establishment.
- 1930–1931: Edward Wilmot Francis Gilman, Resident Councillor of Penang (17 April 1930 – 15 August 1931). Acting Resident Councillor of Penang ( 17 January – 17 April 1930). Born 1876. Appointed as a Cadet in the Straits Settlements in 1899. Acting Fourth Magistrate of Singapore in 1901. In 1902, passed examination in Tamil and was transferred to Penang as Acting Assistant of Indian Immigration. In 1910, served as Acting District Officer of Kuala Lipis, Pahang for a year before reassigned as Deputy Superintendent of Immigrants Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States in 1911. Secretary Indian immigration Committee in 1912 and Deputy Controller of Labour in same year. Federal Examiner in Tamil in 1913 and served as Immigration Officer in Madras for the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States. In 1915, he was the Officiating Deputy Controller of Labour, Penang, and Assistant Censor in 1916. Retired in 15 August 1931.
- 1931–1933: Percy Tothill Allen was Resident Councillor of Penang from 16 August 1931 – 1933. Acting Resident Councillor of Penang from (2 May 1931 – 16 August 1931). Born 14 October 1878. Appointed as a Cadet by the Secretary of State in 1902 and was later promoted to acting Second Assistant in the Chinese Protectorate at Penang in 1905. Served as District Officer of Matang, Perak in 1906. Acting District Officer of Christmas Island, Australia in 1907 then District Officer till 1909. In 1909, returned to Penang to hold the Acting Assistant Protector of Chinese and Superintendent of Prisons. Served a few months as Acting Second Assistant for District Officer in Tapah, Perak in 1909 before being appointed Secretary to the Resident of Negeri Sembilan in the same year. Acting Magistrate of Seremban, Negeri Sembilan until 1912. Returned to Penang to hold post of Acting Assistant, Protector of Chinese in 1913 and in Singapore in 1917.
- 1933–1941: Arthur Mitchell Goodman was Resident Councillor of Penang (1933–1941). Born 15 December 1886. Joined the Malayan Civil Service in 1909 as a Cadet. Acting Assistant Protector of Chinese, Perak in 1912. Assistant Controller of Labour, Perak in 1915. Acting Magistrate in Ipoh in 1916. Acting Assistant Protector of Chinese, Penang in 1917. Acting Secretary for Chinese Affairs of the Federated Malay States 1921. Secretary Chinese Affairs SS 1927. Member Penang Harbour Board. Member Executive and Legislative Councils SS. Acting Resident Councillor of Penang (21 April 1933 – 14 October 1933). Resident Councillor of Penang (14 October 1933 – 24 November 1934). On leave from (24 November 1934 – 29 August 1935). Resumed duty from (29 August 1935 – 8 December 1937). Resumed duty on 6 July 1938.
- 1934: James Startin Wills Arthur was Acting Resident Councillor for Penang in 1934. Born in Powick, Worcester 9 March 1881. District Officer of Christmas Island, Australia (1911–1912), Assistant Adviser Kedah 1916–1921, Deputy President Municipal Commissioners Penang 1923, District Judge Malacca 1924, MCS Assistant Treasurer in Penang. Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, Malaya 1934. Acting Resident Councillor for Malacca (20 February 1934) and Penang (24 November 1934). Retired 29 August 1935.
- 1937–1938: George Alexander de Chazal de Moubray, Actg. Resident Councillor of Penang, from 8 December 1937 to 6 July 1938. Born 1888. Director of Land Office of Terengganu (1926–1929). DO Kinta and Member of Perak State Council 1934. Acting British Adviser, Kelantan 1938. British Adviser of Terengganu (1940–1941). Police Magistrate, Straits Settlements. He was taken as prisoner of war in Changi, Singapore during Japanese Occupation. Changi and Sime Rd internee.
- 1940–1941: Leslie Forbes (born 1889) was Acting Resident Councillor of Penang from 1940–1941. He was an internee at Changi and Sime Rd. He was a member of the British Military Administration till 1973.
Japanese Governors of Penang
- 1942–1943: Lt-Gen. Shotaro Katayama Governor of Penang from(1942–1943)
- 1943–1944: Maj-Gen. Masakich i Itami Governor of Penang from(1943–1944)
- 1944: Lt-Gen. Shinohara Seiichiro Governor of Penang from(1944–1944)
- 1944: S.Ikagawa Deputy Governor of Penang from (1944) only.
- 1944–1945: Lt-Gen. Shinohara Seiichiro was Governor of Penang from 1944 to 1945
Military Governors of the Settlement of Penang
- 1945–1945: Peter Dicken Cracroft (1907–2003) assumed command as Military Governor of Penang on 24 September 1945 under Lord Louis Mountbatten of the British High Command at Singapore (12 September 1945. He retired 1958 and died in 2003.
- 1945–1946: Thomas John Norman Hilken (1901–1969)
Resident Commissioners of the Settlement of Penang
- 1946–1948: Sydney Noel King (6 June 1897) was Resident Commissioner of Penang from 1946 to 1948. He was born on 6 June 1897. He was a Cadet in the Straits Settlements in March 1920. He was attached to Land Office, Penang in May 1920. He served as Acting District officer in Bukit Mertajam in 1923. In March 1932 he worked as Acting First Magistrate, Johor Bahru, before being appointed Deputy Public Prosecutor, Johor, in the same year. He was District Officer of Christmas Island, Australia from 1925 to 1926. He was appointed Acting Under Secretary of the Straits Settlements in April 1936 and as Acting Legal Adviser of Kedah in June 1937. He was an internee at Changi and Sime Rd. He was a member of the British Military Administration till 1973.
- 1948–1951: Arthur Vincent AstonArthur Vincent AstonArthur Vincent Aston CMG, MC was born in 1896 in Chester. He was the first British Adviser for Perak after the abolishment of the post British Resident of Perak. He was Resident Commissioner of Penang from 1948 to 1951. He was an internee at Changi and Sime Rd...
(born in Chester 1896) was a Resident Commissioner of Penang from 1948 to 1951. He was an internee at Changi and Sime Rd.
- 1948: George Evan Cameron Wisdom was Acting Resident Commissioner of Penang in 1948. He was Resident Commissioner of Malacca from 1951 to 1954.
- 1951–1957: Robert Porter Bingham was Resident Commissioner of Penang from 1951 to 1957. He was an Acting Resident Commissioner of Penang in 1950.
- 1952: Norman Ward was Acting Resident Commissioner of Penang in 1952.
- 1954: John Sjovald Hoseason Cunyngham-Brown (born 1905) was Acting Resident Commissioner of Penang from 25 June – 17 July 1954. He retired in 1957 and died, in Georgetown, Penang, in 1989.
- 1954–1955: David GrayDavid GrayDavid Gray may refer to:*David Gray , Scottish poet*David Gray , English singer-songwriter*David Gray , Scottish footballer*David Gray , Scottish footballer...
(born 1906), Acting Resident Commissioner of Penang, from 30 December 1954 to 3 August 1955. He had been Assistant Protector of Chinese, Singapore Police Magistrate, Chinese Secretariat in 1934. He was an internee at Changi and Sime Rd internee. Upon returning to Malaya in 1947, he was assigned to the Dept of Labour, Federation of Malaya. He was appointed to Secretary of Chinese Affairs, Federation of Malaya in 1951. In 1952 he was appointed Acting Chief Secretary of the Federation of Malaya. He was Acting Resident Commissioner, Penang, from 1954 to 1955. He then moved on to become Acting Chief Secretary for the Federation of Malaya and Officer Administering the Government of the Federation of Malaya from 1955 to 1956.
Governors of the State of Penang
- 1957–1967: 31 August 1957 Malaysia is declared independent from Britain. Raja Tun Uda Al-Haj Bin Raja Muhammad becomes first Governor of Penang under the newly independent Malaysia, 31 August 1957 – 30 August 1967. 1910 Joined the Government Service. 1914 Was recruited by the Malay Administrative Service (M.A.S.). 1924 Promoted to Class V, Malayan Civil Service (M.C.S.). 1939 Appointed as Secretary to British Resident, Selangor. 1947 Awarded C.B.E. February 1948 Promoted to Class 1A. 1 February 1948 Appointed State Secretary, Selangor on inauguration of Federation of Malaya Agreement. 1 July 1949 Became the Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of Selangor. 1951 Awarded C.M.G. 1953 Awarded theHonorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (K.B.E.). July 1953 Appointed High Commissioner for Malaya in United Kingdom. November 1954 Reappointed as Menteri Besar, Selangor. 24 August 1955 Appointed Speaker of Federal Council.
- 1967–1969: Tun Tan Sri Syed Sheh bin Syed Abdullah Shahabudin, Governor of Penang from 1967 to 1969.
- 1969–1975: Tun Tan Sri Syed Sheh Al-Haj bin Syed Hassan BarakbahTan Sri Syed Sheh Al-Haj bin Syed Hassan BarakbahTan Sri Syed Sheh Al-Haj bin Syed Hassan Barakbah was a judge and senior official in Malaya, starting his career under British rule and continuing in independent Malaysia.-Career:* April 1946: Special Magistrate....
, Governor of Penang from February 1969 – February 1975.
- 1975–1981: Tun Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dato' Haji Sardon bin Haji Jubir was Governor of Penang from 5 February 1975.
- 1981–1989: Tun Datuk Dr. Haji Awang bin HassanAwang bin HassanTun Datuk Dr Haji Awang bin Hassan was a Malaysian politician.He was born in Muar, Johor. He was educated by Sekolah Bukit Zahrah in Johor Bahru. Awang began attendance at the KE VII College of Medicine in the 1930s...
was Governor of Penang from 1 May 1981.
- 1989-: Tun Tan Sri Datuk (Dr.) Haji Hamdan bin Sheikh Tahir was Governor of Penang from 1 May 1989.
- 2001–Present: Tun Dato' Seri Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abbas was Governor of Penang from 1 May 2001.