Alexander Swettenham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Alexander Swettenham
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| Governor of Jamaica | |
| In office 30 September 1904 – 1907 |
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| Monarch | Edward VII |
| Preceded by | Augustus Hemming |
| Succeeded by | Sydney Haldane Olivier |
| 41st Governor of British Guiana | |
| In office 3 July 1901 – 26 September 1904 |
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| Monarch | Edward VII |
| Preceded by | Walter Joseph Sendall |
| Succeeded by | Frederick Mitchell Hodgson |
| Acting Governor of the Straits Settlements | |
| In office 7 December 1899 – 5 November 1901 |
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| Monarch | Queen Victoria Edward VII |
| Preceded by | Sir Charles Mitchell |
| Succeeded by | Sir Frank Swettenham |
| 7th Colonial Secretary, Straits Settlements | |
| In office 11 February 1895 – 7 December 1899 |
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| Monarch | Queen Victoria |
| Governor | Charles Mitchell |
| Preceded by | William Edward Maxwell |
| Succeeded by | Walter Egerton (acting) Sir Charles Walter Sneyd Kynnersley (acting) |
| 20th Accountant General and Controller of Revenue | |
| In office 31 July 1891 – 10 June 1895 |
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| Preceded by | George Thomas Michael O'Brien |
| Succeeded by | William Thomas Taylor |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Alexander Swettenham
1846 Belper, Derbyshire, England |
| Died | 19 April 1933 (aged 86–87) La Colline, Switzerland |
| Resting place | Vevey, Switzerland |
| Spouse |
Mary Emily née Copeland
(m. 1905) |
| Parent |
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| Alma mater | Clare College, Cambridge |
| Occupation | Colonial administrator |
Sir James Alexander Swettenham KCMG (1846 – 19 April 1933) was a British colonial administrator who was Governor of British Guiana (1901–1904) and Governor of Jamaica (1904–1907).
Contents
Early life
Alexander was born the son of James Oldham Swettenham, an attorney-at-law, near Belper, Derbyshire and educated at Clare College, Cambridge.
Family
Alexander’s younger brother, Sir Frank Athelstane Swettenham, was also a colonial administrator.
Alexander married Mary Emily Copeland, a descendant of the Staffordshire Wedgwood family. They had no children.
Career
Alexander joined the Ceylon Civil Service in 1868 and worked there until 1883, before being appointed Receiver-General for Cyprus in 1884, returning to Ceylon in 1891 where he was appointed the 20th Accountant General and Controller of Revenue in Sri Lanka. His appointment commenced on 31 July 1891, succeeding G. T. M. O'Brien, and he held the office until 10 June 1895, when he was succeeded by J. A. Taylor. Alexander moved to Singapore on 11 February 1895 and served as the Colonial Secretary until 1899, becoming acting Governor that year, when Sir Charles Mitchell died in office, until handing over to his brother Frank in November 1901.
From 1901 to 1904 he served as Governor of British Guiana before moving to Jamaica to become Governor there. In 1907 there was a severe earthquake on the island and he was responsible for dealing with its aftermath. When a corps of American marines arrived under Rear-Admiral Charles H. Davis Jr to offer assistance he asked them to leave as he had matters under control. The Americans took offence and caused a diplomatic spat referred to as the Kingston Incident, as a result of which Swettenham was obliged to resign his position.
Death
Alexander died in a clinic in La Colline, Switzerland and was buried in Vevey.
Honour
Alexander was awarded CMG in 1892 and was knighted KCMG in 1898.
