Admiral Sir Charles Elliot | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chief Superintendent of British Trade in China | |
| In office 14 December 1836 – 12 August 1841 | |
| Preceded by | Sir George Robinson |
| Succeeded by | Sir Henry Pottinger |
| Administrator of Hong Kong | |
| In office 26 January 1841 – 12 August 1841 | |
| Monarch | Victoria |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Alexander Johnston (Acting) |
| Governor of Bermuda | |
| In office 25 December 1846 – 13 February 1854 | |
| Preceded by | Sir William Reid |
| Succeeded by | Freeman Murray |
| Governor of Trinidad | |
| In office 10 March 1854 – 27 October 1856 | |
| Preceded by | George Harris |
| Succeeded by | Robert Keate |
| Governor of Saint Helena | |
| In office 3 July 1863 – 29 January 1870 | |
| Preceded by | Sir Edward Hay |
| Succeeded by | Charles Patey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 August 1801 Dresden, Saxony, Holy Roman Empire |
| Died | 9 September 1875 (aged 74) Exmouth, Devon, England, United Kingdom |
| Resting place | St John in the Wilderness, Exmouth, England |
| Spouse | Clara Windsor |
| Children | 5 |
| Parent(s) | Hugh Elliot Margaret Jones |
Admiral Sir Charles Elliot KCB (15 August 1801 – 9 September 1875) was a British Royal Navy 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. He was a key founder in the establishment of Hong Kong as a British colony.[1]
Born in Dresden, Saxony, Elliot joined the Royal Navy in 1815 and served as a midshipman in the bombardment of Algiers against Barbary pirates the following year. After serving in the East Indies Station for four years, he joined the Home Station in 1820. He joined the West Africa Squadron and became a lieutenant in 1822. After serving in the West Indies Station, he was promoted to captain in 1828. He met Clara Windsor in Haiti and they married in 1828.
After retiring from active naval service, Elliot followed a career in the Foreign Office. From 1830 to 1833, he was Protector of Slaves in Guiana. In 1834, he went to China as Master Attendant to the staff of Chief Superintendent Lord Napier. He became Plenipotentiary and Chief Superintendent from 1836 to 1841. From 1842 to 1846, Elliot was chargé d'affaires and consul general in the Republic of Texas. He served as Governor of Bermuda (1846–54), Governor of Trinidad (1854–56), and Governor of Saint Helena (1863–70). He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1856.
- ^ Endacott 2005, p. 1