Anthony Musgrave

Anthony Musgrave

Sir Anthony Musgrave KCMG (born August 31, 1828 - October 9, 1888 ) was governor of various British colonies. He was born the third of 11 children to Anthony Musgrave and Mary Harris Sheriff in St John's, Antigua. His wife is the namesake for Lady Musgrave Island .

Time in north america

After years serving the British Crown in the Caribbean, Musgrave was appointed governor of the colony of Newfoundland in September 1864 . During his tenure, he mainly concentrated on entering into negotiations with other British colonies in North America in order to jointly form the so-called Canadian Confederation . However, Musgrave's plan failed. Canada was proclaimed July 1, 1867, and Newfoundland did not join until eight years later.

After the death of Frederick Seymour , Musgrave was appointed governor of the United Colonies of Vancouver Island and British Columbia in August 1869 . Despite major financial and administrative difficulties within the colony, Musgrave managed to make British Columbia the sixth province of Canada in less than two years. British Columbia eventually joined Canada in July 1871.

Natal, Australia and Jamaica

After a brief tenure as Governor of the Natal Colony , Musgrave assumed the post of Governor of South Australia . He supported the efforts for additional taxation, the taking out of larger loans in order to finance the extensive expansion of the rail network and the importation of a larger number of immigrants. During his tenure in Australia, Musgrave married his second wife, Jeanie Ludinda Field, the daughter of David Dudley Field . With her he had a daughter named Joyce, who died in Adelaide in 1874.

After three and a half years, Musgrave returned to the Caribbean and became Governor of Jamaica . He ruled the colony for six years, focusing primarily on improving the cultural life. Among other things, Musgrave initiated the Jamaica Scholarship and helped establish the Institute of Jamaica.

Musgrave's last stop took him back to Australia. As Governor of Queensland , Musgrave was more of a political observer due to his advancing age. He died in Brisbane in 1888 while still seated at his desk.

Honors

• Musgrave Ranges ; Mountain range in Australia
• Musgrave Medal ; Award in Jamaica

The Lady Musgrave Island was named after his wife.

Web links

• Kent M. Haworth: Musgrave, Anthony . In: Dictionary of Canadian Biography . tape 11: 1881-1890 . University of Toronto Press, Toronto 1982, ISBN 0-8020-3367-9 ( English , French ).
• Biography The Governorship of Newfoundland and Labrador (English)