Sir James Alexander Swettenham (1846 – 19 April 1933) was a British colonial administrator who was Governor of British Guiana (1901–1904) and

Governor of Jamaica This is a list of viceroys in Jamaica from its initial occupation by Spain in 1509, to its independence from the United Kingdom in 1962. For a list of viceroys after independence, see Governor-General of Jamaica. For context, see History of Jamai ...

(1904–1907).

Early life

Alexander was born the son of James Oldham Swettenham, an attorney-at-law, near Belper, Derbyshire and educated at

Clare College, Cambridge Clare College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. The college was founded in 1326 as University Hall, making it the second-oldest surviving college of the University after Peterhouse. It was refounded ...

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 A receiver general (or receiver-general) is an officer responsible for accepting payments on behalf of a government, and for making payments to a government on behalf of other parties. See also * Treasurer * Receiver General for Canada * Recei ...

for Cyprus in 1884, returning to Ceylon in 1891 where he was appointed the 20th Accountant General and Controller of Revenue in

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්‍රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...

. 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 A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

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.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Swettenham, James Alexander 1846 births 1933 deaths People from Belper Alumni of Clare College, Cambridge Auditors General of Sri Lanka British colonial governors and administrators in Asia British colonial governors and administrators in the Americas Governors of British Guiana Governors of Jamaica Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George Chief Secretaries of Singapore Governors of the Straits Settlements Administrators in British Singapore