Sir William Robert Seymour Vesey-FitzGerald, GCSI, GCIE, PC (1818 – 28 June 1885), was an Anglo-Irish politician and colonial administrator. He served as Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs between 1858 and 1859 and as Governor of Bombay between 1867 and 1872.

Sir Seymour Vesey-FitzGerald
Governor of Bombay
In office
6 March 1867 – 6 May 1872
MonarchVictoria
Preceded bySir Bartle Frere
Succeeded bySir Philip Wodehouse
Personal details
Born1818 (1818)
County Clare
Died28 June 1885 (1885-06-29)
Oxford, Oxfordshire
NationalityUnited Kingdom British
Political partyConservative
SpouseMaria Seymour
Alma materChrist Church, Oxford
Oriel College, Oxford

Background and education

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FitzGerald was the illegitimate son of the 2nd Baron FitzGerald and Vesey. He was educated at both Christ Church, Oxford and Oriel College, Oxford, graduating with a degree in Classics in 1837.

Political career

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FitzGerald was elected member for Horsham in 1848, but was unseated on petition. In 1852 he was once again elected for Horsham and was able to hold the seat until 1865.[1] He served under The 14th Earl of Derby as Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs between 1858 and 1859.

In 1866 he was appointed Governor of Bombay,[2] admitted to the Privy Council[3] and (17 August 1887) made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India,[4] and Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire.

On his return to Britain, he again represented Horsham in parliament from 1874 to 1875.[1] In 1875, he was appointed Chief Charity Commissioner.[5]

He married Maria Seymour, daughter of Edward Seymour, in 1840 and had a son and daughter.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b leighrayment.com House of Commons: Horncastle to Hythe[usurped]
  2. ^ "No. 23187". The London Gazette. 20 November 1866. p. 6157.
  3. ^ "No. 23203". The London Gazette. 28 December 1866. p. 7171.
  4. ^ Great Britain. India Office The India List and India Office List for 1905, p. 145, at Google Books
  5. ^ "No. 24271". The London Gazette. 30 November 1875. p. 6048.
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Horsham
1848
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Horsham
1852–1865
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Horsham
1874–1875
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
1858–1859
Succeeded by
Government offices
Preceded by Governor of Bombay
1867–1872
Succeeded by