Claud Severn

Claude Severn (Chinese Translated Name: 施勳) (1869-1933) was a British colonial administrator. Severn joined the colonial civil service in British Malaya in 1894 and worked under the Governor of the Straits Settlements. In 1912 he became Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong and remained in the post until 1925. During this period Severn governed Hong Kong on various occasions as an acting administrator during the transition period to a new Governor.

Biography

Sir Claud Severn was born on 9 Sep 1869 in Adelaide, South Australia to Walter Severn (1830-1904) and Mary Dalrymple Fergusson (1845-1916). His mother was the daughter of Sir Charles Dalrymple Fergusson, 5th Baronet.

Severn went to St Peter's College, Adelaide, studied Latin and chemistry at the University of Adelaide.[1] He later graduated from University of Cambridge with a BA in 1890 and MA in 1913.[1]


Later Life

After his service in Hong Kong, Severn departed from Britain and died at the Old Rectory, Ewelme, near Oxford, on 8 Apr 1933; in 1920, he married Margaret Annie Bullock and they had three children but no grandchildren.

Memory

Severn Road, which is located on Mount Gough in Hong Kong, was named after him. The official residence of the Secretary for Justice (Hong Kong) is located at 19 Severn Road.

Honours

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Severn, Sir Claud", Who Was Who, London: A & C Black, 1996.
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Government offices
Preceded by
Sir Warren Delabere Barnes
Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong
1912 - 1925
Succeeded by
Sir Wilfrid Thomas Southorn
Preceded by
Frederick, Lord Lugard
Acting Administrator of Hong Kong
March–July 1912
Succeeded by
Sir Francis Henry May
Preceded by
Sir Francis Henry May
Acting Administrator of Hong Kong
September 1918-September 1919
Succeeded by
Sir Reginald Edward Stubbs
Preceded by
Sir Reginald Edward Stubbs
Acting Administrator of Hong Kong
March–November 1925
Succeeded by
Sir Cecil Clementi