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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

The Right Hon. Sir Hercules George Robert Robinson

The Right Hon. Sir Hercules George Robert Robinson, G.C.M.G., was born in 1824, and educated at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. After leaving college he entered the Army, but soon retired, and joined the Civil Service in Ireland. In 1854 he was appointed President of Montserrat, and Lieutenant-Governor of St. Christopher in the following year. In 1859 he was promoted to the Governorship of Hong Kong, where he succeeded Sir John Bowring. In the same year the honour of knighthood was conferred upon him. Six years later the Governorship of Ceylon became vacant, and he was appointed to fill that position. In 1872 he became Governor of New South Wales. During the next few years disturbances arose in Fiji, and in 1874 Sir Hercules proceeded thither to enquire into the affairs of the islands. As the result of his negotiations the islands were annexed to the British Empire. In recognition of his services in these negotiations he was created a Knight of the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. In 1879 he succeeded the Marquis of Normanby as Governor of New Zealand, and in the following year became Governor of the Cape of Good Hope Sir Hercules was popular, though his reign was short.

Photo. by Wrigglesworth and Binns. The Right Hon. Sir Hercules Robinson.

Photo. by Wrigglesworth and Binns.
The Right Hon. Sir Hercules Robinson.