John Francis Davis

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For other persons named John Davis, see John Davis (disambiguation).

2^nd Governor of Hong Kong
Sir John Francis Davis

In office 8 May 1844 – 21 March 1848
Preceded by	Sir Henry Pottinger
Succeeded by	Sir George Bonham

Born	July 16, 1795(1795-07-16) London, England, Great Britain
Died	November 13, 1890 (aged 95) United Kingdom
Spouse	Emily Hurnfravs

Sir John Francis Davis, 1st Baronet KCB (Chinese Translated Name: 戴維斯 or the obsolete term 爹核士) (1795 - 1890) was a British diplomat , Sinologist, and the 2nd Governor of Hong Kong. He was the son of Samuel Davis and nephew to William Thomas Mercer (later Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong).

1 Early career
2 Governor of Hong Kong
3 Awards and Honours
4 Works
5 Legacy
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Early career

John Davis was appointed writer in East India Company's factory at Canton in 1813. Because of his linguistic abilities, he was chosen to accompany Lord Amherst on his embassy to Peking in 1816.

On the return of the mission, Davis again took up his duties in the factory at Canton, and was promoted to be president in 1832. He was appointed the joint commissioner in China with Lord Napier in 1834.

[edit] Governor of Hong Kong

In 1844, Davis became British plenipotentiary and chief superintendent of British trade in China, and governor and commander-in-chief of the colony of Hong Kong, until 1848.

On 8th May 1844, he was appointed to be the governor of Hong Kong.

On 16th July 1844, his home was robbed.

During his tenure, Davis was very much hated amongst Hong Kong residents and British merchants during his administration because of the establishment of various taxes, which increased the burden of all citizens, and his abrasive treatment of his subordinates. On a much lighter note, weekend racing began during his tenure, which gradually evolved as a Hong Kong institution.

Also, during his tenure, Davis organized the first Hong Kong Census, and it indicated that at that time, there were 23,988 people living in Hong Kong.

On 21st March 1848, his row with the local British merchants increased, and Davis resigned his commission and left Hong Kong. He died in 1890.

[edit] Awards and Honours

[edit] Works

The Chinese : a general description of the empire of China and its inhabitants
China, during the war and since the peace

[edit] Legacy

Mount Davis, as well as Mount Davis Path, Mount Davis Road, and Davis Street in Hong Kong were all named after him.

[edit] See also

History of Hong Kong

[edit] External links

Works by John Francis Davis at Project Gutenberg

Government offices
Preceded by Sir Henry Pottinger	2nd Governor of Hong Kong 1844 - 1848	Succeeded by George Bonham
Baronetage of the United Kingdom
Preceded by New creation	Baronet (of Hollywood) 1845–1890	Succeeded by Francis Boileau Davis

v • d • e Governors of Hong Kong

Pottinger • Davis • Bonham • Bowring • H. Robinson • MacDonnell • Kennedy • Hennessy • Bowen • Des Vœux • W. Robinson • Blake • Nathan • Lugard • May • Stubbs • Clementi • Peel • Caldecott • Northcote • Young • Grantham • Black • Trench • MacLehose • Youde • Wilson • Patten