George William Robert Campbell

Sir George William Robert Campbell KCMG (1835–1905) was the first British colonial Inspector General of Police of Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

For the Australian politician, see William Campbell (New South Wales politician).

Sir George William Robert Campbell KCMG
1st & 3rd Inspector General of Police (Sri Lanka)
In office 3 September 1866 – 1872
Succeeded by	Frederick Richard Saunders
In office 1873–1891
Preceded by	Frederick Richard Saunders
Succeeded by	Louis Frederic Knollys
Acting Lieutenant-Governor of Penang
In office 1872–1873
Preceded by	Arthur Birch
Succeeded by	Edward Anson
Personal details
Born	1835 Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland
Died	10 January 1905
Spouse(s)	Louisa Georgina Mary née Moyle - ​ ( m. 1862; died 1885) Mary Gertrude née Murray 1853 ​ ( m. 1886; div. 1903)
Children	Elia Louisa Mary (b.1866), Guy (b.1888), Arthur Hamilton Gordon (b.1889), Victoria Mary (b.1892)
Parents	John Campbell, Eliza née Elder
Profession	Colonial administrator

Campbell was born in 1835 in Campbeltown, Argyll, Scotland, the son of John Campbell and Eliza née Elder. He enlisted in the Argyll and Bute Militia and served in India, where he was appointed assistant superintendent in the revenue survey. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857 he was adjutant of the Ahmedabad Koli Corps, Assistant-Superintendent of Police and Assistant Magistrate. After serving as chief of police in the Indian province of Ratnagiri, he was appointed by Governor Frederick North on 3 September 1866, as Chief Superintendent of Police in Ceylon, in charge of the Police Force. Therefore, 3 September 1866 is considered as the beginning of Sri Lanka Police Service. The post was changed to Inspector General of Police in 1867. In 1872 he was appointed Acting Lieutenant-Governor of Penang, Malaysia, a position he served for one year before returning to his role as Inspector General of Police. In 1887 he was awarded the CMG.[1] In 1891 he retired and returned to England where he received a knighthood for his service.[2] Campbell died on 10 January 1905.[3]

References

1. "Chancery of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George" (PDF). London Gazette. 21 June 1887. p. 3365.
2. "Order of St Michael and St George". The Guardian. 2 September 1891. p. 4.
3. Dods Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage of Great Britain and Ireland for 1916. London: Dod's Peerage. 1916. p. 388.

Further reading

• "Sir William Campbell" The Police Journal: A Review for the Police Forces of the British Commonwealth of Nations Vol. XXXIX No. 1 (January 1966): 328.

Police appointments
Preceded by	Inspector General of Police 1866–1872	Succeeded by Frederick Richard Saunders
Preceded by Frederick Richard Saunders	Inspector General of Police 1873–1891	Succeeded by Louis Frederic Knollys