The Right Honourable The Earl of Mayo KP GCSI PC |
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Viceroy of India | |
In office 12 January 1869 – 8 February 1872 |
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Monarch | Queen Victoria |
Preceded by | Sir John Lawrence, Bt |
Succeeded by | Sir John Strachey (acting) |
Personal details | |
Born |
Dublin, Ireland |
21 February 1822
Died | 8 February 1872 Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India |
(aged 49)
Nationality | Irish |
Political party | Conservative |
Spouse(s) | Hon. Blanche Wyndham (d. 1918) |
Alma mater | Trinity College, Dublin |
Richard Southwell Bourke, 6th Earl of Mayo KP GCSI PC (21 February 1822 – 8 February 1872), styled Lord Naas between 1842 and 1867, was a statesman, Viceroy of India and prominent member of the British Conservative Party from Dublin, Ireland.
Mayo was born in Dublin, the eldest son of Robert Bourke, 5th Earl of Mayo, and his wife, Anne Charlotte, daughter of the Hon. John Jocelyn. His younger brother the Hon. Robert Bourke was also a successful politician. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin.
After travelling in Russia, Mayo entered parliament for Kildare in 1847, a seat he held until 1852, and then represented Coleraine from 1852 to 1857 and Cockermouth from 1857 to 1868. He was thrice appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland – in 1852, 1858 and 1866 – and in 1869 he became the fourth Viceroy of India where he was locally often referred to as "Lord Mayo". He consolidated the frontiers of India and reorganised the country's finances; he also did much to promote irrigation, railways, forests and other useful public works. To solve local problems he established local boards. During his tenure first census took place in 1872. The European-oriented Mayo College at Ajmer was founded by him for the education of young Indian chiefs, with £70,000 being subscribed by the chiefs themselves.