Alexander Robert Johnston
Encyclopedia
Alexander Robert Campbell-Johnston (14 June 1812 – 21 January 1888) was a British colonial official who served twice as acting administrator of the former British colony of Hong Kong
from 1841 to 1842. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society
in 1845 for his work on the natural history of China.
, British Ceylon
, as the third son of Sir Alexander Johnston
, who was Chief Justice of Ceylon. He went to Mauritius
as a writer in the Colonial Service
from 1828 to 1833. He later became a clerk in the Colonial Secretary
's department. He returned to England after the economic conditions in the colony forced him to leave his post.
, who was Chief Superintendent of Trade. After Napier died in October 1834, he was replaced by John Francis Davis
, and Johnston became Secretary and Treasurer of the Commission. After Davis' retirement in January 1835, Johnston became Third Superintendent of Trade. In November 1836, he was promoted to Second Superintendent. In 1837, after the Commission abolished the offices of Second and Third Superintendent, he became Deputy Superintendent of Trade under Charles Elliot
, who was both Chief Superintendent and Plenipotentiary
.
On 22 June 1841, when Elliot prepared to join the British expeditionary force in the north during the First Opium War
, he appointed Johnston as acting administrator of Hong Kong, which he held until December 1841. On 10 August, Henry Pottinger arrived in China to replace Elliot as plenipotentiary. Pottinger, who arrived in Hong Kong on 22 August while on his way to the expedition, kept Johnston as acting administrator. Acting on Elliot's policy of encouraging a growing settlement, Johnston disposed land lots for development, which he classified into marine, town, and suburban. In November 1841, he sent Pottinger an account of the settlement's progress, such as the development of Queen's Road
, the Magistracy, the Record Office, and a prison. Barracks were built in Stanley
and a bridle path
was laid towards Aberdeen. He reported that houses were being built and that many people were making applications for land. Pottinger criticised Johnston for granting land without elaboration of Hong Kong's future from the British home government.
When Pottinger rejoined the expedition in June 1842, Johnston was again left in charge and was told not to grant land except for barracks and the troops' families who began to arrive from Britain. In October 1842, he informed Pottinger of the crime and disorder in the colony. Piracy was frequent and isolated houses were attacked, often by gangs who landed from boats. The jail was full, but Johnston said he lacked the authority to impose sentences on the inmates awaiting trial. Such conditions helped the Colonial Office
be aware of the importance of establishing full control of law and order, and the danger of allowing the Chinese to share this responsibility. In December 1842, Pottinger returned to assume control of Hong Kong, and Johnston remained Deputy Superintendent of Trade, which was changed in 1843 to the Assistant and Registrar to the Superintendent of Trade. In August 1843, Pottinger appointed Johnston as a member of the Executive
and Legislative Councils
.
Johnston returned to England on sick leave in October 1843. He received a medal for his services on board the Nemesis during the war. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society on 5 June 1845 for his contributions to the natural history of China. He returned to Hong Kong in September 1845 as Secretary and Registrar to the Superintendent of Trade, which he held until September 1852. He retained his seat on the Executive Council in January 1846 until he retired to England in March 1853.
, and Malcolm Campbell-Johnston
(1871–1938), who was Member of Parliament for East Ham South
as a Conservative
. Johnston resided in Suffolk
, where he was a justice of the peace
, and in London. He died on 21 January 1888 at Raphael Ranch, Los Angeles, where he owned a 300 acre (1.2 km2; 0.47 sq mi) farmland. His wife commissioned British architect Arthur Edmund Street to design the Church of the Angels in 1889 to memorialise him. The church is a registered historic landmark in Pasadena
. Johnston Road
in the Wan Chai
area of Hong Kong Island
is named after him.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
from 1841 to 1842. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
in 1845 for his work on the natural history of China.
Early career
Johnston was born in ColomboColombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
, British Ceylon
British Ceylon
British Ceylon refers to British rule prior to 1948 of the island territory now known as Sri Lanka.-From the Dutch to the British:Before the beginning of the Dutch governance, the island of Ceylon was divided between the Portuguese Empire and the Kingdom of Kandy, who were in the midst of a war for...
, as the third son of Sir Alexander Johnston
Alexander Johnston (1775–1849)
Sir Alexander Johnston, PC, FRS , was a British colonial official who served as Chief Justice of Ceylon. He learned the Tamil, Telugu, and Hindustani languages.- References :...
, who was Chief Justice of Ceylon. He went to Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
as a writer in the Colonial Service
Colonial Service
The Colonial Service was the British government service which administered Britain's colonies and protectorates, under the authority of the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Colonial Office in London....
from 1828 to 1833. He later became a clerk in the Colonial Secretary
Chief Secretary
The Chief Secretary is the title of a senior civil servant in members of the Commonwealth of Nations, and, historically, in the British Empire. Prior to the dissolution of the colonies, the Chief Secretary was the second most important official in a colony of the British Empire after the...
's department. He returned to England after the economic conditions in the colony forced him to leave his post.
China
From 1833 to 1835, Johnston was Private Secretary to his cousin Lord NapierWilliam Napier, 9th Lord Napier
William John Napier, 9th Lord Napier was a Royal Navy officer, politician and diplomat.- Early life :He was the son of Francis Napier, 8th Lord Napier and the father of Francis Napier, 10th Lord Napier and 1st Baron Ettrick . He served during the battle of Trafalgar as a midshipman...
, who was Chief Superintendent of Trade. After Napier died in October 1834, he was replaced by John Francis Davis
John Francis Davis
Sir John Francis Davis, 1st Baronet KCB 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 .-Early career:John Davis was appointed writer in East India Company's factory at Canton in 1813...
, and Johnston became Secretary and Treasurer of the Commission. After Davis' retirement in January 1835, Johnston became Third Superintendent of Trade. In November 1836, he was promoted to Second Superintendent. In 1837, after the Commission abolished the offices of Second and Third Superintendent, he became Deputy Superintendent of Trade under Charles Elliot
Charles Elliot
Sir Charles Elliot, KCB , was a British naval officer, diplomat, and colonial administrator. He became the first administrator of Hong Kong in 1841 while serving as both Plenipotentiary and Chief Superintendent of British Trade in China...
, who was both Chief Superintendent and Plenipotentiary
Plenipotentiary
The word plenipotentiary has two meanings. As a noun, it refers to a person who has "full powers." In particular, the term commonly refers to a diplomat fully authorized to represent his government as a prerogative...
.
On 22 June 1841, when Elliot prepared to join the British expeditionary force in the north during the First Opium War
First Opium War
The First Anglo-Chinese War , known popularly as the First Opium War or simply the Opium War, was fought between the United Kingdom and the Qing Dynasty of China over their conflicting viewpoints on diplomatic relations, trade, and the administration of justice...
, he appointed Johnston as acting administrator of Hong Kong, which he held until December 1841. On 10 August, Henry Pottinger arrived in China to replace Elliot as plenipotentiary. Pottinger, who arrived in Hong Kong on 22 August while on his way to the expedition, kept Johnston as acting administrator. Acting on Elliot's policy of encouraging a growing settlement, Johnston disposed land lots for development, which he classified into marine, town, and suburban. In November 1841, he sent Pottinger an account of the settlement's progress, such as the development of Queen's Road
Queen's Road
Queen's Road is the first road in Hong Kong built by the Government of Hong Kong between 1841 and 1843, spanning across Victoria City from Shek Tong Tsui to Wan Chai...
, the Magistracy, the Record Office, and a prison. Barracks were built in Stanley
Stanley, Hong Kong
Stanley is a town and a tourist attraction in Hong Kong. It located on a peninsula on the southeastern part of Hong Kong Island. It is east of Repulse Bay and west of Shek O, adjacent to Chung Hom Kok...
and a bridle path
Bridle path
A bridle path is a thoroughfare originally made for horses, but which these days serves a wide range of interests, including hikers, walkers and cyclists as well as equestrians. The laws relating to permissions vary from country to country...
was laid towards Aberdeen. He reported that houses were being built and that many people were making applications for land. Pottinger criticised Johnston for granting land without elaboration of Hong Kong's future from the British home government.
When Pottinger rejoined the expedition in June 1842, Johnston was again left in charge and was told not to grant land except for barracks and the troops' families who began to arrive from Britain. In October 1842, he informed Pottinger of the crime and disorder in the colony. Piracy was frequent and isolated houses were attacked, often by gangs who landed from boats. The jail was full, but Johnston said he lacked the authority to impose sentences on the inmates awaiting trial. Such conditions helped the Colonial Office
Colonial Office
Colonial Office is the government agency which serves to oversee and supervise their colony* Colonial Office - The British Government department* Office of Insular Affairs - the American government agency* Reichskolonialamt - the German Colonial Office...
be aware of the importance of establishing full control of law and order, and the danger of allowing the Chinese to share this responsibility. In December 1842, Pottinger returned to assume control of Hong Kong, and Johnston remained Deputy Superintendent of Trade, which was changed in 1843 to the Assistant and Registrar to the Superintendent of Trade. In August 1843, Pottinger appointed Johnston as a member of the Executive
Executive Council of Hong Kong
The Executive Council of Hong Kong is a core policy-making organ in the executive branch of the government of Hong Kong.. The Chief Executive of Hong Kong serves as its President.The Executive Council normally meets once a week...
and Legislative Councils
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
.
Johnston returned to England on sick leave in October 1843. He received a medal for his services on board the Nemesis during the war. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society on 5 June 1845 for his contributions to the natural history of China. He returned to Hong Kong in September 1845 as Secretary and Registrar to the Superintendent of Trade, which he held until September 1852. He retained his seat on the Executive Council in January 1846 until he retired to England in March 1853.
Later life
On 30 September 1856, he married Frances-Ellen, daughter of Richard Bury Palliser, in St George's, Hanover Square, London. They had nine sons and two daughters, including Conway Seymour Godfrey Campbell-Johnston (1859–1915), who drowned with his wife on the LusitaniaRMS Lusitania
RMS Lusitania was a British ocean liner designed by Leonard Peskett and built by John Brown and Company of Clydebank, Scotland. The ship entered passenger service with the Cunard Line on 26 August 1907 and continued on the line's heavily-traveled passenger service between Liverpool, England and New...
, and Malcolm Campbell-Johnston
Malcolm Campbell-Johnston
Malcolm Campbell-Johnston was a British barrister and Conservative Party politician.Born in Crowthorne, Berkshire, England he was the son of Alexander Robert Campbell-Johnston and his wife Frances Ellen Bury Campbell-Johnston . He was educated at Marlborough College and then studied law in...
(1871–1938), who was Member of Parliament for East Ham South
East Ham South (UK Parliament constituency)
East Ham South was a parliamentary constituency centred on the East Ham district of London, which was in Essex until 1965. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post voting system.- History :The...
as a Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
. Johnston resided in Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
, where he was a justice of the peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
, and in London. He died on 21 January 1888 at Raphael Ranch, Los Angeles, where he owned a 300 acre (1.2 km2; 0.47 sq mi) farmland. His wife commissioned British architect Arthur Edmund Street to design the Church of the Angels in 1889 to memorialise him. The church is a registered historic landmark in Pasadena
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
. Johnston Road
Johnston Road
Johnston Road is a major road in Wan Chai on the Hong Kong Island of Hong Kong. It spans from the junction with Heard Street, Hennessy Road and Stewart Road are at its east towards another junction with Hennessy Road and Queensway at its west near Asian House...
in the Wan Chai
Wan Chai
Wan Chai is a metropolitan area situated at the western part of the Wan Chai District on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island, in Hong Kong. Its other boundaries are Canal Road to the east, Arsenal Street to the west and Bowen Road to the south. The area north of Gloucester Road is often called...
area of Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
is named after him.