Robert Brooke (St. Helena)
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- This article is about the governor of St. Helena. For the governor of Virginia, see Robert Brooke (Virginia).
Colonel Sir Robert Brooke (1744-1811), Lieutenant-Colonel in the army of Bengal and Governor of the island of St Helena from 1788 to 1800. Married 1775, Anna Maria Mapletoft, daughter of Reverend Robert Mapletoft, Assistant Chaplain to the East India Company at St John's, Calcutta; 5 sons, 2 daughters.
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[edit] Early history
Brooke was born in Prosperous, County Kildare, Ireland, and entered the service of the East India Company in 1764 as a cadet, aged 20. After a career in military administration, he was appointed to the post of Governor of St Helena in 1788 to replace Daniel Corneille..
[edit] St Helena
Brooke was appointed following a garrison mutiny under a civilian governor, and it is likely that his military background was seen as helpful to the maintenance of order. However, Brooke is best known for the extensive development and building works that were initiated during his administration. These included:
- Introduction of a signalling system to announce the arrival of ships
- Building of defensive positions against attack
- Building pipe networks to transport fresh water
- Extension of farming across the island
- Creation of a safe landing jetty
In addition, Brooke was responsible for the introduction of rules to restrict ill-treatment and encourage the well-being of slaves. He also used the location of St Helena, mid-way between Britain and Cape Colony to support the vulnerable position of British-held Cape Town at the end of the eighteenth century with soldiers and supplies, for which he was awarded a diamond-hilted presentation sword by the East India Company. He raised an island militia, and even tried to grow breadfruit and sago on the island, receiving seedlings from Captain William Bligh in 1792.
[edit] Retirement
Brooke retired in 1800 and was succeeded as Governor by his sister-in-law's husband: Colonel Robert Patton of the East India Company. Brooke died in 1811 at his home in Bath, Somerset.
[edit] References
- Gosse, P., 1938. St Helena 1502-1938; Cassell & Co., London.
he was not rich and had his first child at 12
