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Go to record Dictionary of Indian Biography (Buckland) Dictionary of Indian Biography (Buckland)
 Dictionary of Indian Biography D to F

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Date transcribed2011-03-01
Transcribed byPeter Bailey
CommentNote that notables of Indian, Afghan, etc. origin do not always follow the alphabetical name pattern established by Buckland in his original work.

Surname  Frere    
First Name(s)  Henry Bartle Edward    
Titles   Sir, Baronet     
Year of Birth  1815    
Year of Death  1884    
Entry  Governor : I.C.S. : sixth son of Edward Frere, and nephew of John Hookham Frere : born March 29, 1815, educated at Bath and Haileybury : went to India in 1834, by the overland route, making his way with difficulty via Cairo, Kosseir, Jeddah, Mocha, and a pilgrim vessel to Bombay : Assistant Revenue Commissioner for some years to H. E. Goldsmid (q.v.) in investigating land assessments : Private Secretary to Sir G. Arthur, Governor of Bombay, 1842 : Resident at Satara, 1846 : on the annexation of Satara in 1848-9 (to which he was opposed), Frere was appointed Commissioner : Chief Commissioner in Sind, 1850-9 : greatly advanced the Province in every way, conciliated the Amirs, improved Karachi harbour, developed institutions, controlled the frontier and the tribes : in the mutiny he nearly denuded Sind of troops to help the Panjab and South Mahratta country : repressed attempts at mutiny, and kept Sind quiet and loyal : his great services were highly valued in England and India : K.C.B. in 1859 : Member of the Governor- General's Supreme Council from Dec. 1859, to April, 1862 : helped greatly in the restoration of financial equilibrium and in the establishment of Legislative Councils : Governor of Bombay from April, 1862, to March, 1867 : advanced education, built colleges, pushed on railways, established the Bombay municipality, demolished the old ramparts of the town, initiated female education. Over-trading, speculation, and the restoration of peace in America (causing a fall in cotton) brought on a commercial crisis, in which the Bank of Bombay was involved : Frere's policy during this period was the subject of unfavourable criticism. He was Member of the Council of India, 1867-77 : G.C.S.I. : D.C.L. : President of the Geographical and Asiatic Societies : sent to Zanzibar, in 1872, to negotiate a treaty for the suppression of the slave-trade : P.C : LL.D. : accompanied H.R.H. the Prince of Wales in his Indian tour, 1875-6 : Baronet and G.C.B. : appointed, in 1887, Governor of the Cape and High Commissioner in of the Cape and High Commissioner in S. Africa : brought a war with the Kafirs to conclusion, 1878 : became engaged in the Zulu war, 1879 : and in troubles regarding the Transvaal with the Boers : the English Government recalled Frere in 1880 for his conduct in relation to the Zulu war and alleged disregard of orders : he defended himself on his return to England : he advocated a forward policy with regard to Afghanistan : died May 29, 1884 : buried in St. Paul's Cathedral : his statue erected on the Thames Embankment : he was an eminent public servant, combining strong character under a kindly and courteous demeanour : and was earnest in his religious views. He wrote a number of papers on the questions of the day, connected with India : also a memoir of his uncle above-named.     
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A List of eminent persons who served in British India, together with short biographical notes of each
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