Henry Moore Jackson

Who was Henry Moore Jackson?

Sir Henry Moore Jackson R.A. GCMG was born in Grenada to Walrond Jackson, who became the Anglican Bishop of Antigua. He received his education in England at Clifton College and the Royal Military Academy. After his education, Jackson went into the military, serving for the Royal Artillery from 1870 to 1885, reaching the rank of captain. In 1880 while still in the Royal Artillery he was also appointed commandant of the Sierra Leone police.

It was after his military service that he became involved in the rule of British colonies. Starting with his appointment as commissioner for Turks and Caicos Islands from 1885 to 1890 and later Colonial Secretary of the Bahama Islands from 1890 to 1893. His next appointment came in 1894 when he was appointed as Colonial Secretary of Gibraltar from 1894 to 1901. Here his education in science proved useful in implementing a plan to construct a new harbour. In August 1901 he was appointed Governor of the Leeward Islands, but was moved to Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner of the Western Pacific in late 1902. He is credited as having promoted the idea of British rule to the natives of Fiji. The last position he held was Governor of Trinidad and Tobago, which he held until his death on 29 August 1908.