Sir Arthur Kennedy GCMG CB |
|
---|---|
7th Governor of Hong Kong | |
In office 16 April 1872 – 22 April 1877 |
|
Monarch | Victoria |
Preceded by | Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell |
Succeeded by | Sir John Pope Hennessy |
5th Governor of Queensland | |
In office 20 July 1877 – 2 May 1883 |
|
Monarch | Victoria |
Preceded by | William Cairns |
Succeeded by | Anthony Musgrave |
Personal details | |
Born |
County Down, Ireland |
5 April 1809
Died | 3 June 1883 near Aden in the Red Sea |
(aged 74)
Spouse(s) | Georgina MacCartney |
Children | 2 daughters, 1 son |
Alma mater | Trinity College, Dublin |
Profession | soldier, colonial administrator |
Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy GCMG CB (5 April 1809 – 3 June 1883) was a British colonial administrator who served as governor of a number of British colonies, namely Sierra Leone, Western Australia, Vancouver Island, Hong Kong and Queensland.
Arthur Kennedy was born in Cultra, County Down, Ireland on 5 April 1809, the fourth son of Hugh Kennedy and his wife Grace Dorothea (née Hughes). He was educated by private tutor and in 1823–24 attended Trinity College, Dublin, where he met his predecessor as Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell.
Kennedy entered the British Army, and was gazetted an Ensign in the 11th Foot on 15 August 1827. Until 1837 he served with infantry regiments on Corfu. He spent 1838–1839 and 1841–1844 in British North America. In 1841 he purchased a Captaincy in the 68th Foot.
Kennedy returned to Ireland in 1846, and the following year sold his captaincy and took up an appointment with the Poor Law Commission. His job was to administer relief to the many inhabitants of County Clare who were affected by the Potato Famine.He was shocked by what he saw and had serious differences with the local Landlord, Colonel Crofton Moore Vandeleur.