The Right Honourable The Lord Rosmead GCMG PC
1st Administrator of Montserrat
In office 14 February 1854 – 1855
Monarch	Victoria
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Edward Rushworth
6th Lieutenant Governor of Saint Christopher
In office 1855–1859
Monarch	Victoria
Preceded by	Sir Edward Hay
Succeeded by	Sir Benjamin Pine
5th Governor of Hong Kong
In office 9 September 1859 – 15 March 1865
Monarch	Victoria
Lieutenant	Charles van Straubenzee Sir James Grant Sir John Michel Sir Charles Staveley William Brown Sir Philip Guy
Preceded by	Sir John Bowring
Succeeded by	Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell
Acting Governor of British Ceylon
In office 21 March 1865 – 16 May 1865
Monarch	Victoria
Preceded by	Terence O'Brien (Acting governor)
Succeeded by	Himself
13th Governor of British Ceylon
In office 16 May 1865 – 4 January 1872
Monarch	Victoria
Preceded by	Himself (Acting governor)
Succeeded by	Henry Turner Irving
14th Governor of New South Wales
In office 4 March 1872 – 24 February 1879
Monarch	Victoria
Preceded by	The Earl Belmore
Succeeded by	Lord Augustus Loftus
1st Governor of Fiji
In office 10 October 1874 – June 1875
Monarch	Victoria
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Sir Arthur Hamilton-Gordon
8th Governor of New Zealand
In office 27 March 1879 – 9 September 1880
Monarch	Victoria
Premier	Sir George Grey John Hall
Preceded by	The Marquess of Normanby
Succeeded by	Sir Arthur Hamilton-Gordon
8th High Commissioner for Southern Africa
In office 22 January 1881 – 1 May 1889
Monarch	Victoria
Prime Minister	Thomas Charles Scanlen Thomas Upington Sir Gordon Sprigg
Preceded by	Sir George Strahan (acting)
Succeeded by	Sir Henry Smyth (acting)
8th Governor of Cape Colony
In office 22 January 1881 – 1 May 1889
Monarch	Victoria
Prime Minister	Thomas Charles Scanlen Thomas Upington Sir Gordon Sprigg
Preceded by	Sir George Strahan (acting)
Succeeded by	Sir Henry Smyth (acting)
Acting Governor of British Mauritius
In office 15 December 1886 – 18 December 1886
Monarch	Victoria
Preceded by	Henry Nicholas Duverger-Beyts (acting)
Succeeded by	William Hanbury Hawley (acting)
10th High Commissioner for Southern Africa
In office 30 May 1895 – 21 April 1897
Monarch	Victoria
Prime Minister	Cecil Rhodes Sir Gordon Sprigg
Preceded by	Sir Henry Brougham Loch
Succeeded by	Sir William Goodenough (acting)
10th Governor of Cape Colony
In office 30 May 1895 – 21 April 1897
Monarch	Victoria
Prime Minister	Cecil Rhodes Sir Gordon Sprigg
Preceded by	Sir Henry Brougham Loch
Succeeded by	Sir William Goodenough (acting)

Hercules George Robert Robinson, 1st Baron Rosmead,GCMG, PC (19 December 1824 – 28 October 1897), was a British colonial administrator who became the 5thGovernor of Hong Kong, then 13thGovernor of Ceylon, and subsequently, the 14thGovernor of New South Wales, the firstGovernor of Fiji, and the 8thGovernor of New Zealand. Later in his career he held various positions in Southern Africa, including two terms asGovernor of the Cape Colony. From June 1859 until August 1896, he was known asSir Hercules Robinson.

He was ofIrish descent on both sides; his father wasAdmiralHercules Robinson,^[2] his mother was Frances Elizabeth Wood, from Rosmead,County Westmeath, from which he afterwards took his title.^[3] From theRoyal Military College, Sandhurst, he was commissioned into the87th Foot as asecond lieutenant on 27 January 1843,^[4] he was promotedlieutenant bypurchase on 6 September 1844,^[5] and reached the rank ofcaptain. However, in 1846, through the influence ofLord Naas, Robinson obtained a post in the Board of Public Works in Ireland and subsequently became chief commissioner of fairs and markets.^[3]

His energy in these positions, notably during thefamine of 1848, and the clearness and vigour of his reports, secured for him at the age of 29 the office of president of the council of the island ofMontserrat on 14 February 1854.^[6]

Robinson also pushed for the introduction of a cadet scheme in the colonial administration during the similar serendipitous civil service reforms advocated by William Gladstone, the then chancellor of the exchequer. He proposed a civil service examination held in the UK that selected the successful candidates (the cadet) to learn Chinese and subsequently work in Hong Kong. The approval of the Colonial Office to this proposal resulted in the gradual expansion of the cadet and although the cadet did not fulfil the initial expectation of working as an interpreter, they provided excellent civil service in the administration and established rules in the process, emancipating the administration fromad hoc and disorganised practices.^[7]

Subsequently, Robinson was appointed lieutenant-governor ofSaint Kitts on 6 November 1855,^[8] serving until 1859. On 17 June 1859, aged 35 Robinson was appointed asGovernor of Hong Kong,^[9] the youngest in Hong Kong colonial history, as which he served until March 1865. On 28 June 1859,^[10] he wasknighted in recognition of his services for introducingcoolie labour into the territory.^{[citation needed]}

During his tenure, Robinson secured the control of theKowloon Peninsula from the Imperial Chinese Government, thus expanding the size of the territory. Up to this point, theColony of Hong Kong only consisted ofHong Kong Island. Also, Robinson ordered the construction of thePokfulam Reservoir, which would provide a steady supply of water for Hong Kong people for years to come. Robinson was also credited with establishingTowngas, the territory's premier gas provider (a position it still holds today), for lighting the streets.

During Robertson's administration,HSBC, along withStandard Chartered, were established in Hong Kong. Both were given the responsibility to print banknotes on the behalf ofthe Government, a responsibility both banks still hold today.

On 6 March 1865, Robinson was appointedGovernor of Ceylon.^[11] On 30 June 1869, he was appointedKnight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG).^[12] From 4 March 1872 to 24 February 1879, he served as theGovernor of New South Wales.^[13] Before his arrival in the colony, theAustralian Town and Country Journal apprised its readers of Robinson's "high reputation for administrative ability" and provided biographical details.^[14] He attended the official opening of Sydney's grand newGeneral Post Office on 1 September 1874.^[15]

During this governorship, Robinson was involved in the successful efforts to annexe theFiji Islands to theBritish Empire, and his services were rewarded on 28 January 1875 by promotion toKnight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG).^[16] He temporarily served asGovernor of Fiji from 10 October 1874 to June 1875, while concurrently Governor of New South Wales. On 24 February 1879, Robinson was transferred to New Zealand,^[17] and on 21 August 1880, in the wake of theAnglo-Zulu War, he succeededSir Henry Bartle Frere asHigh Commissioner for Southern Africa (George Cumine Strahan was also appointed as interim administrator to act until Robinson could arrive from New Zealand).^[18]

Robinson arrived inSouth Africa shortly before the disaster ofMajuba, and was one of the commissioners for negotiating a peace and determining the future status ofTransvaal.^[19] The job was known to be personally distasteful to him, for it left him with the task of conciliating, on the one hand, a Dutch party elated with victory, and on the other hand a British party almost ready to despair of the British connection.^[3]

In 1883, Robinson was called home to advise the government on the terms of the new convention concluded with the TransvaalBoers,^[3] and was appointed a member of thePrivy Council. On 27 February 1884 Robinson signed theLondon Convention for the British government, withPaul Kruger, the new state president of theSouth African Republic, S.J. du Toit and N.J. Smit signing for the South African Republic.

On his return to South Africa, Robinson he found that a critical situation had arisen inBechuanaland (today'sBotswana), where Boer commandos had seized large tracts of territory and proclaimed the republics ofStellaland andGoshen. The commandos refused to retire within the limits ofthe Transvaal as defined by the new convention, and Robinson, aware of the necessity of preserving this country – the main road to the north – for theBritish Empire, determined on vigorous action.^[3]

John Mackenzie^[20][21] and laterCecil Rhodes were sent to secure the peaceful submission of the Boers, but without immediate result, partly owing to the attitude of the Cape ministry. Robinson's declaration that the advice of his ministers to patch up a settlement with the filibustering Boers was equivalent to a condonation of crime, led to the expedition ofMajor GeneralSir Charles Warren and the annexation of Bechuanaland early in 1885.^[3] He repeatedly argued for theBechuanaland Protectorate to be extended north, beyond22°. The British government resisted the idea until 1890, when land north of 22° was incorporated.^[22]

The difficulties of Robinson's position were illustrated by the dispute which arose between him and Warren, who declared that the high commissioner's duties to the home government were at times in conflict with the action which, as governor ofCape Colony, he was bound to take on the advice of his ministers in the interests of the colony. Sir Hercules Robinson succeeded in winning the confidence ofPresident Kruger by his fair-mindedness, while he seconded Rhodes' efforts to unite the British and Dutch parties in Cape Colony. His mind, however, was that of the administrator as distinguished from the statesman, and he was content to settle difficulties as they arose.^[3]

In 1886, Robinson investigated the charges brought againstSir John Pope Hennessy,Governor of Mauritius,^[23] and decreed his suspension pending the decision of the home authorities, who eventually reinstated Hennessy. In 1887 Robinson was induced by Rhodes to give his consent to the conclusion of a treaty withLobengula which secured British rights inMatabele andMashona lands.^[3]

In May 1889, Robinson retired. In his farewell speech, he declared that there was no permanent place in South Africa for direct Imperial rule. This was interpreted to mean that South Africa must ultimately become independent – an idea repugnant to him. He explained in a letter toThe Times in 1895 that he had referred to the "direct rule of Downing Street over the crown colonies, as contrasted with responsible colonial government."^[3]

Robinson was created abaronet on 6 February 1891.^[24] Early in 1895, when he had entered his 71st year in below average health, he yielded to the entreaties ofLord Rosebery's cabinet, and went out again to South Africa, in succession toSir Henry Loch.^[3][25]

His second term of office was not fortunate. TheJameson Raid produced a permanent estrangement between him and Cecil Rhodes, and he was out of sympathy with the new colonial secretary,Joseph Chamberlain, who had criticised his appointment, and now desired Robinson to take this opportunity of settling the whole question of the position of theUitlanders in the Transvaal.^[3]

Robinson answered that the moment was inopportune and that he must be left to choose his own time. Alarmed at the imminent danger of war, he confined his efforts to inducing theJohannesburgers to lay down their arms on condition that the raiders' lives were spared, not knowing that these terms had already been granted to Jameson. He came home to confer with the government, and on 10 August 1896 was raised to thepeerage as Baron Rosmead, of Rosmead in theCounty of Westmeath and ofTafelberg in South Africa.^[26] The new Lord Rosmead returned toSouth Africa later in the year, but was compelled by ill-health, in April 1897, to quit his post.^[3]

Robinson marriedThe Honourable Nea Arthur Ada Rose D'Amour Annesley, fifth daughter ofThe 10th Viscount Valentia, in 1846.^[27] Lady Robinson was described as "a majestic-looking woman", "fond of gaiety and society".^[14]

Their daughter, Nora, (born in St Kitts in 1858) married Alexander Finlay inSt James' Church, Sydney on 7 August 1878. This vice-regal wedding attracted great interest from the populace and press. A crowd of up to 10,000 onlookers was reported and the guest list included many of the most important people in the colony.^[28][29]

Robinson died in London on 28 October 1897,^[30] and is buried inBrompton Cemetery, London. His son, Hercules Arthur Temple Robinson, succeeded to the title ofBaron Rosmead.^[30]

In Hong Kong,Robinson Road, Rosmead Road (樂善美道), andRobinson Island (鴨洲) were all named after him. There was a Robinson Road in theKowloon Peninsula that was named after him. However, the name was changed toNathan Road on 19 March 1909. In Sri Lanka, Rosmead Place in Colombo 7 was named after him.

In South Africa, there are two Rosmead Avenues inCape Town, one in Claremont–Kenilworth and the other in Oranjezicht, a suburb of Cape Town proper. South Africa also includes two small towns named Rosmead, one nearKimberley in theNorthern Cape and one nearMiddelburg in theEastern Cape.

In Australia, a building inCrown Street, Sydney, includes a couple of terraced houses named for Hercules Robinson. A monumental bust of Sir Hercules sits atop the facade. On Sydney'sGeneral Post Office at 1 Martin Place, on thePitt Street side arches of the building, there are carvings of four of New South Wales governors including Sir Hercules.

• Knight Bachelor, 1859
• Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG), 1869
• Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG), 1875
• Baronet ofEnnismore Gardens in the Parish of St Margaret, Westminster, in theCounty of London, 1891
• Baron Rosmead, of Rosmead in the County ofWestmeath and ofTafelberg in South Africa, 1896

Coat of arms of Hercules George Robert Robinson, 1st Baron Rosmead^[31]

Notes Granted on 2 February 1891 bySir John Bernard Burke,Ulster King of Arms.[32] Crest Out of acrown valloryOr amountVert thereon abuck as in the arms. Escutcheon Vert achevronengrailed between three bucksat gaze Or eachcharged on the shoulder with afleur-de-lisAzure. Motto Legi, regi, fidus (Faithful to the Law and the King) Other versions Full achievements:

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Rosmead, Hercules George Robert Robinson, 1st Baron".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 23 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 738.

Wikimedia Commons has media related toHercules Robinson, 1st Baron Rosmead.

• Governors of British Ceylon
• 1824 births
• 1897 deaths
• 1874 in Fiji
• 19th-century British politicians
• 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot officers
• British Anglicans
• Burials at Brompton Cemetery
• Colony of New South Wales people
• Governors of British Saint Christopher
• Governors of Fiji
• Governors of Hong Kong
• Governors of New South Wales
• Governors of the Cape Colony
• Governors-general of New Zealand
• Graduates of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst
• High commissioners for the Western Pacific
• Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
• Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom
• People from County Westmeath
• Irish knights
• Barons in the Peerage of the United Kingdom
• Peers of the United Kingdom created by Queen Victoria

• Source attribution
• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Use British English from January 2013
• All Wikipedia articles written in British English
• Use dmy dates from April 2022
• All articles with unsourced statements
• Articles with unsourced statements from November 2008
• Articles containing traditional Chinese-language text
• Articles containing Latin-language text
• Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica with Wikisource reference
• Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica
• Commons category link is on Wikidata