John Pope Hennessy
Encyclopedia
Sir John Pope Hennessy, KCMG (Chinese: 軒尼詩; 5 April 1834 – 7 October 1891), was an Irish and British politician and colonial administrator who served as the eighth Governor of Hong Kong.
, Ireland. He was a Catholic who strongly believed in Liberalism. Hennessy completed his medical training at Queen's University of Ireland
. Afterwards, he joined the British Army Medical Department and later studied law and became a legal professional.
, and eventually became a minor Conservative
member of the British Parliament, representing King's County
from 1859 to 1865, and North Kilkenny
from 1890 until his death the following year.
and became the Governor of Sierra Leone
from 1872 to 1873. He became Governor-in-Chief of the Windward Islands, from 1873 until 1877, with primary authority over Barbados, and executive oversight over the various British Lt. Governors and Administrators charged with running day-to-day affairs on the various islands. Sources from 1869 identify him as colonial governor of Labuan, in Malaysia, where he put the Crown Colony into solvency by introducing convict labour from the Straits Settlement. Sources from 1871 indicate that he was headed from Labuan to the governorship of the Bahamas [Hansard 1803–2005, http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons].
Although born into the Anglo-Irish landowning aristocracy, Pope Hennessy's status as a Roman Catholic made him something of an outsider, particularly in his dealings with Protestant British colonial elites, whether in Barbados, Hong Kong, or Mauritius. Indeed, his earliest contributions as a Member of Parliament in 1860 pertained to the temporal power of the Pope, and unfolding events in Italy http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons. Coming into colonial administration, he was among a cohort of "new thinkers" whose ideas gained ground following the Sepoy Mutiny in India in 1857. Speaking at length in the House of Commons on 26 July 1860 about British civil and military forces in India, Hennessy urged a shift in policies so that "the military administration of India would be conducted with greater skill, with more economy, and, as a natural result of a higher educational standard, with a greater regard for the feelings and interests of the Native population. Indeed, recent events furnished us with the most conclusive evidence that many of the British officers, entrusted with grave authority in India, had, from an ignorance of popular customs and a disregard of national habits and traditions, given great cause of complaint and encouragement to disaffection. As long as we send out officers to India who seem inclined to treat the Natives as slaves, who seem unable or unwilling to appreciate the noble qualities, of that unfortunate people, and who add the grossest military outrages and insults to the civil misgovernment and financial burdens we have imposed upon them, so long will our rule in India be a blot upon civilization" [House of Commons debate, 26 July 1860, Hansards, Vol. 160, cc. 231-59, 235].
, a position from which he served until 1882.
During his tenure, Hennessy realised that the Chinese people, who were treated as second-class citizens up to that time, had developed an increasingly important influence on the Hong Kong economy. With that in mind, he lifted the ban that forbade Chinese people from buying lands, constructing buildings, and operate businesses in the Central District. This caused a development boom in the Central District. Also, he allowed Chinese people in Hong Kong to become naturalised subjects of the UK. He appointed the first Chinese member to the Legislative Council of Hong Kong
, Wu Tingfang
, who would later become the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China.
Also, during his rule, he established the first Grant-in-Aid system in education area. This is a very important point for the educational history of Hong Kong.
Soon after arriving in Hong Kong, in April 1877, Hennessy set out to implement the "separate system" in Victoria Gaol, meaning separate cells for prisoners, during the night if not also during the day. This plan hinged upon sending long-term prisoners to Labuan, for convict labour [Hong Kong Government Gazette, 23 February 1878].
Sir John Wyndham Pope-Hennessy
(1913–1994), who was a British art historian and the director
of the British Museum
from 1974 until 1976, was Hennessy's grandson.
Hennessy died in 7 October 1891.
, which is a main road located on the new reclamation, present-day a crowded commercial and shopping area at Wan Chai
and Causeway Bay
on Hong Kong Island
was named after him. A major street in Port Louis, capital of Mauritius is named after him.
Early life
Sir John Pope Hennessy was born in 1834 in County CorkCounty Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland. He was a Catholic who strongly believed in Liberalism. Hennessy completed his medical training at Queen's University of Ireland
Queen's University of Ireland
The Queen's University of Ireland was established formally by Royal Charter on 3 September 1850, as the degree-awarding university of the Queen's Colleges of Belfast, Cork, and Galway that were established in 1845 "to afford a university education to members of all religious denominations" in...
. Afterwards, he joined the British Army Medical Department and later studied law and became a legal professional.
Public service
He started his Public Service career as the Supplemental Clerk at the Privy CouncilPrivy council
A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on...
, and eventually became a minor Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
member of the British Parliament, representing King's County
King's County (UK Parliament constituency)
King's County was a parliamentary constituency in Ireland, represented in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom. It return two Members of Parliament 1801–1885 and one in 1918–1922.-Boundaries:...
from 1859 to 1865, and North Kilkenny
North Kilkenny (UK Parliament constituency)
North Kilkenny was a parliamentary constituency in Ireland, represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It returned one Member of Parliament from 1885 to 1922.-Boundaries and Boundary Changes:...
from 1890 until his death the following year.
Early colonial service
Hennessy eventually joined the Colonial OfficeColonial Office
Colonial Office is the government agency which serves to oversee and supervise their colony* Colonial Office - The British Government department* Office of Insular Affairs - the American government agency* Reichskolonialamt - the German Colonial Office...
and became the Governor of Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
from 1872 to 1873. He became Governor-in-Chief of the Windward Islands, from 1873 until 1877, with primary authority over Barbados, and executive oversight over the various British Lt. Governors and Administrators charged with running day-to-day affairs on the various islands. Sources from 1869 identify him as colonial governor of Labuan, in Malaysia, where he put the Crown Colony into solvency by introducing convict labour from the Straits Settlement. Sources from 1871 indicate that he was headed from Labuan to the governorship of the Bahamas [Hansard 1803–2005, http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons].
Although born into the Anglo-Irish landowning aristocracy, Pope Hennessy's status as a Roman Catholic made him something of an outsider, particularly in his dealings with Protestant British colonial elites, whether in Barbados, Hong Kong, or Mauritius. Indeed, his earliest contributions as a Member of Parliament in 1860 pertained to the temporal power of the Pope, and unfolding events in Italy http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons. Coming into colonial administration, he was among a cohort of "new thinkers" whose ideas gained ground following the Sepoy Mutiny in India in 1857. Speaking at length in the House of Commons on 26 July 1860 about British civil and military forces in India, Hennessy urged a shift in policies so that "the military administration of India would be conducted with greater skill, with more economy, and, as a natural result of a higher educational standard, with a greater regard for the feelings and interests of the Native population. Indeed, recent events furnished us with the most conclusive evidence that many of the British officers, entrusted with grave authority in India, had, from an ignorance of popular customs and a disregard of national habits and traditions, given great cause of complaint and encouragement to disaffection. As long as we send out officers to India who seem inclined to treat the Natives as slaves, who seem unable or unwilling to appreciate the noble qualities, of that unfortunate people, and who add the grossest military outrages and insults to the civil misgovernment and financial burdens we have imposed upon them, so long will our rule in India be a blot upon civilization" [House of Commons debate, 26 July 1860, Hansards, Vol. 160, cc. 231-59, 235].
Governor of Hong Kong
Immediately after his tenure in Barbados, Hennessy was appointed as Governor of Hong KongGovernor of Hong Kong
The Governor of Hong Kong was the head of the government of Hong Kong during British rule from 1843 to 1997. The governor's roles were defined in the Hong Kong Letters Patent and Royal Instructions...
, a position from which he served until 1882.
During his tenure, Hennessy realised that the Chinese people, who were treated as second-class citizens up to that time, had developed an increasingly important influence on the Hong Kong economy. With that in mind, he lifted the ban that forbade Chinese people from buying lands, constructing buildings, and operate businesses in the Central District. This caused a development boom in the Central District. Also, he allowed Chinese people in Hong Kong to become naturalised subjects of the UK. He appointed the first Chinese member to the Legislative Council of Hong Kong
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
, Wu Tingfang
Wu Tingfang
Wu Tingfang was a Chinese diplomat and politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and briefly as Acting Premier during the early years of the Republic of China. He is also known under his Cantonese name Ng Choy -Biography:...
, who would later become the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China.
Also, during his rule, he established the first Grant-in-Aid system in education area. This is a very important point for the educational history of Hong Kong.
Soon after arriving in Hong Kong, in April 1877, Hennessy set out to implement the "separate system" in Victoria Gaol, meaning separate cells for prisoners, during the night if not also during the day. This plan hinged upon sending long-term prisoners to Labuan, for convict labour [Hong Kong Government Gazette, 23 February 1878].
Governor of Mauritius
After his tenure as Governor of Hong Kong was over, Hennessy went on to become the 15th Governor of Mauritius from 1 Jun 1883 to 11 Dec 1889, but was suspended from 14 Dec 1886 to 12 Jul 1887. This was his last post in the Colonial Service.Personal life
His personal motto is "Three Grand Qualifications to Success", in which he described as "The first is audacity, the second is audacity, and the third is audacity".Sir John Wyndham Pope-Hennessy
John Wyndham Pope-Hennessy
Sir John Wyndham Pope-Hennessy CBE FBA FSA was an English art historian and museum director. He was a scholar of Italian Renaissance art...
(1913–1994), who was a British art historian and the director
Director of the British Museum
The Director of the British Museum is the head of the British Museum in London, a post currently held by Neil MacGregor. He is responsible for that institution's general administration and reports its accounts to the British Government...
of the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
from 1974 until 1976, was Hennessy's grandson.
Hennessy died in 7 October 1891.
Places named after him
As he is not popular among the European community of Hong Kong, there was no construction named after him until much later. On 14 June 1929, Hennessy RoadHennessy Road
Hennessy Road is a thoroughfare on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. It connects Yee Wo Street on the east in Causeway Bay, and Queensway on the western end in Wan Chai.The road is named after John Pope Hennessy, the Governor of Hong Kong between 1877 and 1882....
, which is a main road located on the new reclamation, present-day a crowded commercial and shopping area at Wan Chai
Wan Chai
Wan Chai is a metropolitan area situated at the western part of the Wan Chai District on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island, in Hong Kong. Its other boundaries are Canal Road to the east, Arsenal Street to the west and Bowen Road to the south. The area north of Gloucester Road is often called...
and Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay is a heavily built-up area of Hong Kong, People's Republic of China, located on the Hong Kong Island, and covering parts of Wan Chai and Eastern districts. The Chinese name is also romanized as Tung Lo Wan as in Tung Lo Wan Road...
on Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
was named after him. A major street in Port Louis, capital of Mauritius is named after him.