| Sir George William Des Vœux | |
|---|---|
| 10th Governor of Hong Kong | |
| In office 6 October 1887 – 10 December 1891 |
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| Preceded by | Sir George Ferguson Bowen |
| Succeeded by | Sir William Robinson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 September 1834 Baden-Baden, Germany |
| Died | 15 December 1909 (aged 75) London, England |
| Spouse(s) | Marion Denison Pender |
| Alma mater | Balliol College, Oxford, University of Toronto |
| Profession | Colonial administrator, barrister |
Sir George William Des Vœux, GCMG (22 September 1834 – 15 December 1909) was a British colonial governor who served as Governor of Fiji (1880–1885), Newfoundland (1886–1887), and Hong Kong (1887–1891).
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Des Vœux was born on 22 September 1834 in Baden-Baden, Germany.[1] He was of French descent - his ancestor Marin de Bacquencourt Des Vœux settled in Portarlington, Ireland in the early 18th century, having come from Picardy in northern France. Des Vœux attended a public school in London before starting his studies at Charterhouse School and Balliol College, Oxford, but left without a degree in 1856 and moved to Canada, where he finished his B.A. at the University of Toronto and became a barrister in Upper Canada in 1861.
Des Vœux became stipendiary magistrate in British Guiana from 1863 to 1869, where he championed native causes. He reorganized and codified old French system of law when he was the Administrator and Colonial Secretary of St. Lucia between 1869 and 1880. Afterwards, Des Vœux was appointed Governor of Fiji of Fiji and High Commissioner Western Pacific from 1880 to 1885. He was appointed Governor of Newfoundland from 1886-1887.[1]
In 1887, Des Vœux was appointed as the tenth Governor of Hong Kong, a position he held until 1891. This would be the last post Des Vœux would hold in the Colonial Services. During his tenure, Hongkong Electric Holdings was established, providing electricity supplies for Hong Kong Island. Also, the Peak Tram began operation during this time, providing relatively affordable transportation for people living on The Peak.
After Des Vœux's time as Governor of Hong Kong ended, he entered retirement. He was created a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1893. In 1903, he published his memoirs called My colonial service in British Guiana, St. Lucia, Trinidad, Fiji, Australia, Newfoundland and Hong Kong, with interludes.
Des Vœux married Marion Denison Pender (1856–1955), daughter of John Pender, in 1875. They had five sons and three daughters, with three sons deceased. Des Vœux died in London on 15 December 1909.
Des Voeux Road Central, located in Central District, and Des Voeux Road West, located in the Western District in Hong Kong Island were both named after him. Des Voeux Peak, second highest peak on Taveuni Island, Fiji, was apparently also named for him.
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by James Mayer Grant |
Administrator of Saint Lucia 1869–1878 |
Succeeded by Arthur Elibank Havelock |
| Preceded by Sir Arthur Hamilton Gordon |
Governor of Fiji 1880–1885 |
Succeeded by Sir Charles Bullen Hugh Mitchell |
| High Commissioner for the Western Pacific 1880–1885 |
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| Preceded by Sir John Hawley Glover |
Governor of Newfoundland 1886–1887 |
Succeeded by Sir Henry Arthur Blake |
| Preceded by Major-General William Cameron, Acting Administrator |
Governor of Hong Kong 1887–1891 |
Succeeded by Major-General Digby Barker, Acting Administrator |
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