William John Butterworth

Major-General William John Butterworth CB (10 June 1801 – 4 November 1856) was the governor of the Straits Settlements from August 1843 to 21 March 1855.[1] In 1851, when the Straits Settlements were transferred from the authority of the Governor of Bengal to be directly under the control of the Governor-General of India, Butterworth remained as governor.

Major-General
William John Butterworth
CB
5th Governor of the Straits Settlements
In office
August 1843 – 21 March 1855
MonarchQueen Victoria
Preceded bySir Samuel George Bonham
Succeeded byEdmund Augustus Blundell
Personal details
Born10 June 1801
Died4 November 1856(1856-11-04) (aged 55)
Parents
  • Captain William Butterworth (father)
  • Ann Hodgkinson (mother)
ProfessionColonial administrator,
Military officer

Career

Butterworth joined the army in Madras and rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the 38th Madras Regiment. While he was governor of the Straits Settlements, Butterworth was instrumental in establishing the Singapore Volunteer Corps.[2] Butterworth was later promoted to major general in 1855.[3]

Personal life

Butterworth's parents were Captain William Butterworth RN and his wife Ann (née Hodgkinson). Captain Butterworth died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Awards and honours

Butterworth was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 1838 Coronation Honours.[4]

Legacy

The town of Butterworth, Penang is named after him.

References
  1. Ben Cahoon. "Singapore". worldstatesmen.org. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  2. Corfield, Justin (2 December 2010). Historical Dictionary of Singapore. Scarecrow Press, Inc. ISBN 9780810873872. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  3. "No. 6465". The Edinburgh Gazette. 9 February 1855. p. 163.
  4. "No. 19638". The London Gazette. 20 July 1838. p. 1661.


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