British Colonial Governor. Born in Taughboyne, County Donegal, Ireland, the eldest son of the Rev. Edward Bowen, he was educated at Charterhouse School and Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1844, he was awarded a first class degree in classics and a MA degree in 1847 and entered Lincoln's Inn as a barrister. In 1854, he was appointed Chief Secretary of the Ionian Islands, and five years later the first Governor of Queensland, a colony that had just been separated from New South Wales. In 1867, he was appointed Governor of New Zealand, where he successfully pursued a policy of conciliation towards the Maoris and settlers. He also instituted the New Zealand Cross, one of the rarest bravery awards in the world, equivalent to the Victoria Cross. In 1872, he was transferred to Australia, to become Governor of Victoria, and in 1879, became Governor of Mauritius. In 1882, he was appointed 9th Governor of Hong Kong, where he reconstructed the colonial legislature and established friendly foreign policy. On his retirement from office in 1887, he was appointed Chief of a Royal Commission on the new constitution for Malta.
British Colonial Governor. Born in Taughboyne, County Donegal, Ireland, the eldest son of the Rev. Edward Bowen, he was educated at Charterhouse School and Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1844, he was awarded a first class degree in classics and a MA degree in 1847 and entered Lincoln's Inn as a barrister. In 1854, he was appointed Chief Secretary of the Ionian Islands, and five years later the first Governor of Queensland, a colony that had just been separated from New South Wales. In 1867, he was appointed Governor of New Zealand, where he successfully pursued a policy of conciliation towards the Maoris and settlers. He also instituted the New Zealand Cross, one of the rarest bravery awards in the world, equivalent to the Victoria Cross. In 1872, he was transferred to Australia, to become Governor of Victoria, and in 1879, became Governor of Mauritius. In 1882, he was appointed 9th Governor of Hong Kong, where he reconstructed the colonial legislature and established friendly foreign policy. On his retirement from office in 1887, he was appointed Chief of a Royal Commission on the new constitution for Malta.
Bio by: s.canning
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