William Des Vœux
Encyclopedia
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).
, Germany. 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.
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.
, 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
.
, in 1875. They had five sons and three daughters, with three sons deceased. Des Vœux died in London
on 15 December 1909.
were both named after him. Des Voeux Peak, second highest peak on Taveuni Island, Fiji, was apparently also named for him.
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....
(22 September 1834 – 15 December 1909) was a British colonial governor who served as Governor of Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
(1880–1885), Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
(1886–1887), and 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...
(1887–1891).
Early life
Des Vœux was born on 22 September 1834 in Baden-BadenBaden-Baden
Baden-Baden is a spa town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located on the western foothills of the Black Forest, on the banks of the Oos River, in the region of Karlsruhe...
, Germany. 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
Picardy
This article is about the historical French province. For other uses, see Picardy .Picardy is a historical province of France, in the north of France...
in northern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Des Vœux attended a public school in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
before starting his studies at Charterhouse School
Charterhouse School
Charterhouse School, originally The Hospital of King James and Thomas Sutton in Charterhouse, or more simply Charterhouse or House, is an English collegiate independent boarding school situated at Godalming in Surrey.Founded by Thomas Sutton in London in 1611 on the site of the old Carthusian...
and Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
, but left without a degree in 1856 and moved to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, where he finished his B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
and became a barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
in Upper Canada
Upper Canada
The Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...
in 1861.
Colonial services
Des Vœux became stipendiary magistrate in British GuianaBritish Guiana
British Guiana was the name of the British colony on the northern coast of South America, now the independent nation of Guyana.The area was originally settled by the Dutch at the start of the 17th century as the colonies of Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice...
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
Governor of Fiji
Fiji was a British Crown Colony from 1874 to 1970, and an independent dominion in the British Commonwealth from 1970 to 1987. During this period, the Head of State was the British Monarch, but in practice his or her functions were normally exercised locally by the Governor prior to independence ,...
of Fiji and High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
Western Pacific from 1880 to 1885. He was appointed Governor of Newfoundland from 1886-1887.
Governor of Hong Kong
In 1887, Des Vœux was appointed as the tenth Governor of Hong KongGovernor of Hong Kong
The Governor of Hong Kong was the head of the government of Hong Kong during British rule from 1843 to 1997. The governor's roles were defined in the Hong Kong Letters Patent and Royal Instructions...
, 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
Peak Tram
The Peak Tramway is a funicular railway in Hong Kong, which carries both tourists and residents to the upper levels of Hong Kong Island. Running from Central district to Victoria Peak via the Mid-Levels, it provides the most direct route and offers good views over the harbour and skyscrapers of...
began operation during this time, providing relatively affordable transportation for people living on The Peak
Victoria Peak
Victoria Peak is a mountain in Hong Kong. It is also known as Mount Austin, and locally as The Peak. The mountain is located in the western half of Hong Kong Island...
.
Post-governorship
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.Personal life
Des Vœux married Marion Denison Pender (1856–1955), daughter of John PenderJohn Pender
Sir John Pender , British Submarine communications cable pioneer, was born in the Vale of Leven, Scotland, and after attending school in Glasgow became a successful merchant in textile fabrics in that city and in Manchester; where he had a warehouse in Peter street near The Great Northern Warehouse...
, in 1875. They had five sons and three daughters, with three sons deceased. Des Vœux died in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
on 15 December 1909.
Honours
- Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, 1877
- Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, 1883
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George, 1893
Places named after him
Des Voeux Road Central, located in Central District, and Des Voeux Road West, located in the Western District in Hong Kong IslandHong 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...
were both named after him. Des Voeux Peak, second highest peak on Taveuni Island, Fiji, was apparently also named for him.