James Robert Longden

Who was James Robert Longden?

Sir James Robert Longden was an English colonial administrator.

Longden was born as the youngest son of John R. Longden, proctor, of Doctors' Commons, London. In 1844, two years after the establishment of a civil government, he was appointed government clerk in the Falkland Islands, and became acting colonial secretary the year after. In 1861 he was appointed president of the Virgin Islands, in 1865 governor of Dominica, in 1867 governor of British Honduras, in 1870 governor of Trinidad, Governor of British Guiana in 1874, and in December 1876 governor of Ceylon, which post he held until his retirement in 1883. He was made CMG in 1871, KCMG in 1876, G.C.M.G. in 1883.

Longden married in 1864 Alice Emily, daughter of James Berridge of the island of St. Christopher, West Indies.

After his retirement he resided at Longhope, near Watford, Hertfordshire, and took a very active part in county affairs. He was a J.P. and alderman for the county under the Local Government Act. He died at Longhope on 4 Oct. 1891. His funeral took place at Woking crematorium on 9 Oct. 1891.