14 Facts About George Bonham

Samuel George Bonham was born in Faversham, Kent on 7 September 1803.

George Bonham was the son of Captain George Bonham, of the maritime service of the East India Company.

George Bonham had one sister, called Isabella, who married the Belgian count Ferdinand d'Oultremont.

However, as Murchison was away from Southeast Asia for much of his governorship, George Bonham was in effect responsible for the administration of the Straits Settlements.

George Bonham took over from Murchison as Governor on 18 November 1836, a post he held until January 1843.

George Bonham first governed from Penang, but later made Singapore the permanent residence of the Governor.

George Bonham was involved in the partial abolition of bond slavery, and provided a ship to combat piracy in the region.

George Bonham was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in April 1848.

George Bonham was known for his calm demeanor and gentle nature.

In 1850, upon his request to the Viceroy, a successful expedition was conducted against the pirates in the neighborhood of Hong Kong, and George Bonham attempted to open direct communication with the central government at Peking, and in furtherance of this object sent Mr Medhurst to the Hai River with a dispatch, but the effort proved fruitless.

George Bonham retired from the position of Governor in Hong Kong in April 1854 and returned to England.

In November 1850 George Bonham was promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath as a reward for his services in China, and following his return to England a Baronetcy was conferred upon him on 27 November 1852.

In 1846, George Bonham married Ellen Emelia Barnard, the eldest daughter of Thomas Barnard.

George Bonham's wife died in 1859 and he survived her until 8 October 1863, dying aged 60, of undisclosed causes.