Peter Melvill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Peter Melvill
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Melvill, c. 1860, by an unknown artist
|
|
| Born |
Peter Melvill Melvill
2 July 1803 |
| Died | 5 November 1895 (aged 92) Brighton, Sussex
|
| Spouse(s) |
Catherine Mary Robertson
(m. 1836) |
| Parent(s) | Philip Melvill Elizabeth Carey Dobrée |
| Relatives | James Cosmo Melvill (brother) Philip Melvill (brother) Henry Melvill (brother) |
Sir Peter Melvill Melvill (born July 2, 1803 – died November 5, 1895) was an important British military leader. He was a Major-General in the Bombay Army, which was part of the British forces in India. He also worked as a top assistant to the Governor of Bombay, handling military and navy matters.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Peter Melvill was born at Pendennis Castle in Cornwall, England. His father was in charge of the castle at the time. Peter was the youngest of many children.
His family had strong ties to the East India Company. This was a powerful British company that traded with India and later ruled large parts of it. Peter's older brothers also held important jobs with the company. For example, one brother, Sir James Cosmo Melvill, was the company's secretary. Another brother, Henry Melvill, was in charge of the East India Company College, a school where people learned to work for the company.
Military Career and Public Service
Peter Melvill joined the Bombay Army in 1819 when he was about 16 years old. His first big job was helping to survey land in Gujarat, India, from 1822 to 1827. This survey helped the government understand the land and collect taxes.
In 1828, he became the Fort Adjutant of Bombay. This meant he helped manage the military fort there. He also worked as an aide-to-camp for the Governor, which is like a personal assistant.
Peter Melvill took on many different roles. In 1829, he worked in Calcutta (now Kolkata) on a special financial project. Later, in 1836, he became an assistant to the British leader in Cutch and Sind. These were important regions in India. By 1838, he was acting as the main political representative there.
His most significant role was serving as Secretary to the Government of Bombay. He held this important position for many years, from 1840 to 1859.
Honors and Retirement
In 1860, Peter Melvill was honored by the British King. He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. This is a very special award for people who have done great things for their country. After this, he was known as Sir Peter Melvill.
He retired from the army in December 1861. At that time, he was given the honorary rank of Major-General.
Personal Life
In 1836, Sir Peter Melvill married Catherine Mary Robertson. She was from Tweedmouth, a town in England. They had three daughters while they were living in Bombay, India.
Their daughters were:
- Elizabeth Margaret Melvill, who married Charles Gonne in Bombay in 1860.
- Catherine Mary Melvill (1838–1872), who married a man named Arthur de Hochepied Larpent.
- Robina Henrietta Melvill, who sadly passed away when she was young in India.
Sir Peter Melvill died in Brighton, England, in 1895, when he was 92 years old.
