Kenneth Murchison
British colonial administrator in Southeast Asia (1794–1854)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kenneth Murchison (1794 - 1 August 1854) was the Resident Councillor of Penang and Resident Councillor of Singapore, as well as the third Governor of the Straits Settlements.[1]
Kenneth Murchison | |
|---|---|
| |
| 3rd Governor of the Straits Settlements | |
| In office 7 December 1833 – 17 November 1836 | |
| Monarch | William IV (1830–1837) |
| Preceded by | Robert Ibbetson |
| Succeeded by | Samuel George Bonham |
| Resident Councillor of Straits Settlements | |
| In office 29 November 1827 – 6 December 1833 | |
| Preceded by | John Prince |
| Succeeded by | Samuel George Bonham |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1794 |
| Died | 1 August 1854 (aged 59–60) |
| Spouse(s) |
Charlotte Pryce
(m. 1815; died 1816)Anne Nesham
(m. 1826; died 1846) |
| Children |
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| Parents |
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| Relatives | Roderick Murchison (brother) Alexander Murchison (brother) |
| Occupation | Colonial administrator |
Early life
Murchison was born in Scotland in 1794 to Barbara (née Mackenzie) and Kenneth Murchison.[2] His elder brother was geologist Roderick Murchison.[3] The family moved from Ross-shire in Scotland to Bathampton in Somerset England for his father to recuperate from an illness, but he would die there in 1796. His mother then took the family to Edinburgh and remarried.[4]
Career
He began his working career with the East India Company. He was appointed the Resident Councillor of Penang on 29 November 1827, he was also appointed the Resident Councillor of Singapore.[1] While he was Resident in Penang, he conducted a geological survey of Penang on behalf of his brother Roderick Murchison, who was President of the Geological Society.[5] He became the Governor of the Straits Settlements on 7 December 1833,[6] however, he spent much of his time as Governor outside of Southeast Asia, and the administrative duty was performed by his deputy George Bonham. Bonham took over as Governor on 18 November 1836.[1]