Samuel Rowe (colonial administrator) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Samuel Rowe
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| Administrator of the Gambia | |
| In office June 1875 – 30 March 1877 |
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| Preceded by | Cornelius Hendricksen Kortright |
| Succeeded by | Valerius Skipton Gouldsbury |
| Governor of Sierra Leone | |
| In office July 1875 – January 1881 |
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| Monarch | Queen Victoria |
| Preceded by | Cornelius Hendricksen Kortright |
| Succeeded by | Arthur Havelock |
| Governor-in-chief of the British West Africa settlements | |
| In office 12 June 1887 – January 1881 |
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| Governor of the Gold Coast and Lagos | |
| In office 28 January 1881 – 29 April 1884 |
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| Monarch | Queen Victoria |
| Preceded by | William Brandford Griffith |
| Succeeded by | W. A. G. Young |
| Governor-General of the West Africa settlements | |
| In office 30 December 1884 – 28 August 1888 |
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| Preceded by | Arthur Havelock |
| Succeeded by | John Meredith Maltby |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 March 1835 Macclesfield, Cheshire, England |
| Died | 28 August 1888 (aged 53) Madeira |
Sir Samuel Rowe (March 23, 1835 – August 28, 1888) was a British doctor and a leader in different parts of West Africa. He was known for his ability to build good relationships with local people. He served as a governor or administrator in places like Sierra Leone, the Gambia, and the Gold Coast. Sir Samuel believed in expanding British influence from the coast further inland. This was sometimes different from what the main British government office, the Colonial Office, wanted.
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Early Life and Education
Samuel Rowe was born on March 23, 1835, in Macclesfield, England. He was the youngest son of George Hambly Rowe, a minister, and Lydia Ramshall. He went to private schools and then studied medicine. In 1856, he became a qualified doctor. He joined the army medical staff in 1862 and was sent to Lagos in West Africa. Samuel Rowe married Susannah Gatliff, and they had one son who died young.
A Doctor in West Africa
Rowe arrived in Lagos in July 1862. He soon became a judge's assistant in the main court. He also worked as a commissioner dealing with issues related to slavery. This was a challenging job. Later, he became the main doctor for the colony. Rowe got along very well with the local people. They even gave him the nickname "Old Red Breeches." He was also made a commander of the eastern areas. He helped make a peace agreement with the town of Epe.
In July 1864, he went back to England for a break. He continued his medical studies in Aberdeen, Scotland. He earned more degrees in medicine and surgery in 1865.
His Return to West Africa
Rowe returned to West Africa in 1866 and stayed at Cape Coast Castle. In 1867, he was again the colonial doctor and supervisor for the Hausas in Lagos. By 1869, he was also a judge and a clerk for the Lagos council. He was promoted in the army in July 1870. After another stay in England, he was sent to the Gold Coast in January 1872. He became a surgeon-major in March 1873. He might have encouraged some Sierra Leonean students, Nathaniel King and Sylvester Cole, to study medicine in Aberdeen.
Helping the British Army
In 1873, Rowe helped in battles against the Ashantis. He fought twice near Elmina and received a medal for his bravery. He joined the Ashanti expeditionary force. Because he knew how to work with local people, he helped recruit Yoruba volunteers. He was honored with the C.M.G. award in 1874 for his service in the Anglo-Ashanti wars. In 1875, he became the main doctor for the Gold Coast colony. Rowe left the army in December 1876 with an honorary rank.
Leading British Colonies
While still in the army, Rowe became the head of the governments in the Gambia and Sierra Leone. During this time, the Gambia was managed from Sierra Leone.
Governing The Gambia
Surgeon Major Rowe was appointed administrator of the Gambia in June 1875. The previous administrator had left, and Captain Henry T. M. Cooper was temporarily in charge. Samuel Rowe arrived on July 2, 1875. However, he moved to Sierra Leone the very next day. He left Cooper to continue as the temporary administrator. Rowe left Bathurst to become the acting governor in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
His Time in Sierra Leone
In his first time as governor of Sierra Leone (1875–1881), Rowe was supported by the Colonial Office. He worked to expand British influence further into the country. He led two successful trips against the Sherbro people. In April 1887, Rowe returned to the Gambia as administrator. During his short time there, many local rulers agreed to accept British protection.
On June 12, 1887, Rowe was promoted to governor-in-chief of the West Africa settlements. He left the Gambia in November 1887. As governor-in-chief, he continued to act as governor of Sierra Leone. He did not want to give up the Gambia to other countries. He strongly disagreed with the Colonial Office's idea of giving in to French demands. In April 1880, Rowe was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (K.C.M.G.). He was replaced in Sierra Leone in 1881.
Governor of Gold Coast and Lagos
On January 28, 1881, Rowe became governor of the Gold Coast and Lagos. This was a better-paying job than his role in Sierra Leone. He used his diplomatic skills to avoid another war with the Ashantis. In March 1883, Rowe created a new rule. It set up offices to record documents about land in the Gold Coast Colony. He was replaced in 1884.
Leading West Africa Settlements
On December 30, 1884, Rowe was again appointed governor of the West Africa settlements. This happened because traders and others specifically asked for him to return. Rowe took office in 1885. During his second term, British activity in the interior increased. This was after the Berlin Conference of 1884–85. There was growing competition with the French, who also wanted to expand their colonies in the same area. Rowe was given more power to add land to the north and east of Sierra Leone.
In November 1885, he signed an agreement. This agreement set the northwest border of Liberia at the Mano River. This made Sierra Leone and Liberia share a border. In 1886, Aberdeen University gave Rowe an honorary law degree. In August 1887, the Secretary of State for the Colonies received a report from Rowe. It said that chiefs who were suffering from slave raids wanted British protection.
Rowe's health began to decline in 1887. This was partly due to worries about the French expanding in the region. He died in Madeira on August 28, 1888, while on his way home to get better.
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