William Ambrose Morehead
William Ambrose Morehead (1805–1863) was a British civil servant of the Indian civil service who acted as the Governor of Madras for two terms in 1860 and 1860–61.
William Ambrose Morehead | |
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Governor of Madras Presidency (acting) | |
In office 8 June 1860 – 5 July 1860 | |
Preceded by | Sir Charles Trevelyan |
Succeeded by | Sir Henry George Ward |
In office 4 August 1860 – 18 February 1861 | |
Preceded by | Sir Henry George Ward |
Succeeded by | Sir William Thomas Denison |
Personal details | |
Born | 1805 Edinburgh |
Died | 1863 Edinburgh, United Kingdom |
Nationality | British |
Early life and education
Morehead was born in the United Kingdom in 1805 to Rev Robert Morehead.[1] Ambrose was also the brother of Charles Morehead who served as Governor of Bombay.[1] Morehead had his education in United Kingdom and qualified for the Indian civil service.
Career
Morehead arrived in Madras in 1825.[1] He attained renown for his actions against a rebellion caused by the murder of Macdonald of the Indian civil service in 1832.[1] Morehead was made a judge of the sadr court in 1846 and in 1850, was appointed to a committee which inquired into the activities of Lord Trevelyan's administration in Ceylon.[1]
Morehead served as a member of the Madras Legislative Council from 1857 to 1862.[1] During this time, he acted as the Governor of Madras for two terms, once in 1860 and another time, in 1860–61.[1] He also served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Madras from 1860 to 1862.[1][2]
Death
Morehead retired in October 1862 and died at Edinburgh on 1 December 1863.[1] He is buried in the south-west spur of Dean Cemetery. The grave is heavily damaged (2014). However, a huge red granite memorial stands to his memory in front of the grave, erected by "friends" around 1880 and sculpted by Stewart McGlashen. His brother Charles lies in a separate grave in the cemetery.[3]
Notes
- Arbuthnot, Alexander John (1894). . In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. 39. London: Smith, Elder & Co. p. 2.
- "The Vice Chancellors". University of Madras.
- http://www.gravestonephotos.com/public/gravedetails.php?grave=73666&scrwidth=2400
References
- Buckland, C. E. (1906). Dictionary of Indian Biography. London: Swan Sonnenschein & Co. pp. 299.
Government offices | ||
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Preceded by Sir Charles Trevelyan, Bt |
Governor of Madras 1860–1861 |
Succeeded by Sir William Thomas Denison |