Cecil Clementi Smith
Encyclopedia
Rt Hon Sir Cecil Clementi Smith G.C.M.G.
(1840 – February 6, 1916), was a British
colonial
administrator
. He was known for his effective work in quelling Chinese
secret societies in the Straits Settlements
, such as those in Singapore
. He also established the Queen's Scholarships in 1889 to fund bright Singaporean students to further their studies in British universities.
Son of an Essex rector, he received his education at St Paul's School and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
. In 1864 he began his civil service career as a cadet interpreters
in Hong Kong
, learning much about the Chinese culture and gradually became an accomplished scholar of the Chinese culture. In 1878 he took office as a Colonial Secretary in the Straits Settlements (now Singapore
), and understudied with then-Governor Frederick Weld
. Only in 1887 he was appointed as Governor of the Straits Settlements and High Commissioner till 1893.
He was Lieutenant Governor
of Ceylon
, and the Master of the Mercers' Company
in 1897.
He was president of the commission of Inquiry on the Trinidad
riot
s in 1903 and was Chief British delegate to International Opium Conference at The Hague
in 1909.
He had two children, Beatrice and Lt-Colonel Eustace.
Sir Cecil Smith died in Welwyn Garden City
, aged 77.
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(1840 – February 6, 1916), was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
colonial
Colony
In politics and history, a colony is a territory under the immediate political control of a state. For colonies in antiquity, city-states would often found their own colonies. Some colonies were historically countries, while others were territories without definite statehood from their inception....
administrator
Administrator of the Government
An Administrator in the constitutional practice of some countries in the Commonwealth is a person who fulfils a role similar to that of a Governor or a Governor-General...
. He was known for his effective work in quelling Chinese
Chinese in Singapore
Chinese Singaporeans are people of Chinese ethnicity who hold Singaporean nationality. As of 2010, Chinese Singaporeans constitute 74.1% of Singapore's resident population, or approximately three out of four Singaporeans, making them the largest ethnic group in Singapore...
secret societies in the Straits Settlements
Straits Settlements
The Straits Settlements were a group of British territories located in Southeast Asia.Originally established in 1826 as part of the territories controlled by the British East India Company, the Straits Settlements came under direct British control as a crown colony on 1 April 1867...
, such as those in Singapore
Secret societies in Singapore
Secret societies in Singapore are generally Chinese in origin. They have been largely eradicated as a security issue in the city state. However many smaller groups remain today which attempt to mimic societies of the past...
. He also established the Queen's Scholarships in 1889 to fund bright Singaporean students to further their studies in British universities.
Son of an Essex rector, he received his education at St Paul's School and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
Corpus Christi College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. It is notable as the only college founded by Cambridge townspeople: it was established in 1352 by the Guilds of Corpus Christi and the Blessed Virgin Mary...
. In 1864 he began his civil service career as a cadet interpreters
Interpreting
Language interpretation is the facilitating of oral or sign-language communication, either simultaneously or consecutively, between users of different languages...
in Hong Kong
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...
, learning much about the Chinese culture and gradually became an accomplished scholar of the Chinese culture. In 1878 he took office as a Colonial Secretary in the Straits Settlements (now Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
), and understudied with then-Governor Frederick Weld
Frederick Weld
Sir Frederick Aloysius Weld, GCMG , was a New Zealand politician and a governor of various British colonies. He was the sixth Premier of New Zealand, and later served as Governor of Western Australia, Governor of Tasmania, and Governor of the Straits Settlements.-Early life:Weld was born near...
. Only in 1887 he was appointed as Governor of the Straits Settlements and High Commissioner till 1893.
He was Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
of Ceylon
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, and the Master of the Mercers' Company
Master of the Mercers' Company
-Richard II of England:-Richard II of England:-Richard II of England::1390 John Lovey:1391 John Organ:1392 John Organ:1393 John Organ:1394 William Parker:1395 Richard Whittington :1396 John Shadworth:1397 John Woodcocke:1398 William Walderne...
in 1897.
He was president of the commission of Inquiry on the Trinidad
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
riot
Riot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
s in 1903 and was Chief British delegate to International Opium Conference at The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
in 1909.
He had two children, Beatrice and Lt-Colonel Eustace.
Sir Cecil Smith died in Welwyn Garden City
Welwyn Garden City
-Economy:Ever since its inception as garden city, Welwyn Garden City has attracted a strong commercial base with several designated employment areas. Among the companies trading in the town are:*Air Link Systems*Baxter*British Lead Mills*Carl Zeiss...
, aged 77.