Captain George Grey

Sir George Grey, KCB

Governor

1845 - 1847

  

Governor-in-Chief

1848 - 1853


Governor of New Zealand

1853 - 1853

1861 - 1868

Sir George was born in Lisbon in 1812. He graduated at Sandhurst and served in Ireland where he rose to Captain but he resigned commission soon after.

He explored in north west Australia before being appointed Governor of South Australia 1840-45. After serving in New Zealand, he became Governor of the Cape Colony and High Commissioner for South Africa from 1854-61. He then returned to New Zealand for a second term as Governor.

Thereafter, he was unsuccessful in a Parliamentary bid in England before returning to New Zealand. In 1875 Grey was elected superintendent of Auckland province and also to Parliament for Auckland City West. He fought vigorously in Parliament and in public to save the provinces, but without success. He served as Premier of New Zealand 1877-79. He died in London in 1898.

Biographical information courtesy of NZ Almanack

Visit the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography for more information