Gabriel Stokes

Sir Gabriel Stokes KCSI (7 July 1849 – 22 October 1920) was an Indian civil servant and British colonial administrator from Ireland. He acted as the Governor of Madras between February–March 1906.

Sir Gabriel Stokes KCSI, in the uniform of the Indian Civil Service. In India, he served as a member of the executive council of the Government of Madras.

Personal life

Gabriel Stokes was born on 7 July 1849 at Ballyard, Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland and was educated at Kilkenny College, Armagh and Trinity College, Dublin. The son of Henry Stokes, the County Surveyor of Kerry, Stokes was born into a prominent family of academics which had been associated for Trinity College, Dublin for several generations. His grandfather was Whitley Stokes, a Regius Professor of Physic at Trinity College, Dublin, his great-grandfather Gabriel Stokes, a Professor of Mathematics at Trinity and his great-great grandfather, also Gabriel Stokes, a Deputy Surveyor General of Ireland. His older brother Henry Stokes was also a prominent member of the Indian civil service.

Indian civil service

Stokes cleared the Indian civil service examinations and qualified for the civil service in 1871. In India, he served as a member of the executive council of the Governor of Madras from 1896 to 1906 and from 1906 to 1907.

Governor of Madras

Gabriel Stokes acted as the Governor of Madras from 15 February 1906 to 28 March 1906. During his tenure, the Asian Petroleum Company began its work in Madras.

Death

He died at his home, 72 Morehampton Road in Dublin on 22 October 1920.

Honours

In the 1909 New Year Honours, Stokes was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India for his services to the Crown.

References

• Kate Newmann. Gabriel Stokes (1849 - 1920): Colonial Governor. Dictionary of Ulster Biography (Ulster History Circle).