Monarch Victoria Name William Vesey-FitzGerald Political party Conserfvative | Nationality British Preceded by Henry Bartle Frere | |
 | ||
Succeeded by Sir Philip Edmond Wodehouse Born 1818
County Clare ( 1818 ) Died 28 June 1885 (1885-06-29)
Oxford, Oxfordshire | ||
Sir William Robert Seymour Vesey-FitzGerald GCSI, GCIE, PC (1818 – 28 June 1885) was a British politician and colonial administrator. He served as Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs between 1858 and 1859 and as Governor of Bombay between 1867 and 1872. He normally used the first name Seymour rather than William or Robert.
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Background and education
FitzGerald was the illegitimate son of William Vesey-FitzGerald, 2nd Baron FitzGerald and Vesey. He was educated at both Christ Church, Oxford and Oriel College, Oxford, graduating with a degree in Classics in 1837.
Political career
FitzGerald was elected member for Horsham in 1848, but was unseated on petition. In 1852 he was once again elected for Horsham and was able to hold the seat until 1865. He served under the Earl of Derby as Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs between 1858 and 1859. In 1866 he was appointed Governor of Bombay, admitted to the Privy Council and made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India and Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire. On his return to Britain, he again represented Horsham in parliament from 1874 to 1875. In 1875, he was appointed Chief Charity Commissioner.