President of the Board of Control

President of the Board of Control
Royal Arms as used by His Majesty's Government
India Board
Member ofBritish Cabinet
Privy Council
SeatWestminster, London
AppointerThe British Monarch
(on advice of the Prime Minister)
Term lengthNo fixed term
Constituting instrumentEast India Company Act 1784
Formation4 September 1784
First holderThomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney
Final holderEdward Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby
Abolished2 August 1858

The President of the Board of Control was a British government official in the late 18th and early 19th centuries responsible for overseeing the British East India Company and generally serving as the chief official in London responsible for Indian affairs. The position was frequently a cabinet level one. The position was abolished in 1858 with the abolition of the East India Company. It was succeeded by the new position of Secretary of State for India.