Harry Cordeaux facts for kids

Sir Harry Edward Spiller Cordeaux (born November 15, 1870 – died July 2, 1943) was a British officer and administrator. He served as governor in several places. These included Uganda, Saint Helena, and the Bahamas.

Early Life and Education

Harry Cordeaux was born in Poona, India, on November 15, 1870. His father, Edward Cordeaux, was a judge. Harry went to Brighton College and Cheltenham College for his schooling.

In 1888, he earned a scholarship. This allowed him to study at St. John's College, Cambridge. He graduated in 1892 with a B.A. degree.

Military and Diplomatic Career

Harry Cordeaux joined the Indian Staff Corps in 1895. He quickly moved up in rank. He became a Lieutenant in 1896 and a Captain in 1903. Later, he was promoted to Major in 1912.

In 1898, he started working for the Bombay Political Department. That same year, he became an Assistant Resident in Berbera, on the Somali Coast. He was then made Vice-Consul in Berbera in 1900. In 1902, he became Consul, serving until 1906. During this time, he was also Deputy Commissioner of British Somaliland from 1904 to 1906. From 1906 to 1910, he served as Commissioner and Commander-in-Chief of British Somaliland.

Cordeaux was very interested in the animals of Somaliland. He helped identify a small antelope. It was named Cordeaux's Dik-dik (Madoqua (saltiana) cordeauxi). This animal is now usually seen as a type of Salt's Dik-dik.

Serving as a Colonial Governor

Cordeaux became the Governor of Uganda from 1910 to 1911. During his time, he oversaw the building of a railway. This railway connected Jinja to Kakindu.

He was then appointed Governor of St Helena from 1911 to 1920. After that, he became Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Bahama Islands from 1920 to 1926.

In 1920, he helped start the construction of the Supreme Court of the Bahamas. In 1923, Cordeaux and Arthur Sands were given permission to cut pine trees. They built a sawmill near Gambier Village. However, this business was not successful and ended in 1930.

Economic Changes in the Bahamas

During the 1920s, the Prohibition in the United States made a big impact. This was a time when alcohol was illegal in the United States. As a result, many goods were shipped from Britain to the Bahamas. By February 1921, Cordeaux reported that there were many storage places for these goods on the island.

The money collected by the government grew a lot. It went from 81,049 pounds in 1919 to 1,065,899 pounds in 1923. It stayed high until 1930. Cordeaux once said that this trade helped the island's economy. It even helped pay for a large improvement to the harbor in Nassau.

Awards and Recognition

Cordeaux received several important awards. He was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1902. In 1904, he became a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB). In 1921, he was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG).

Sir Harry Cordeaux passed away on July 2, 1943.

Family Life

Harry Cordeaux married Maud Wentworth-Fitzwilliam on October 2, 1912.