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Charles Cavendish Boyle

1849 – 1916

British colonial governor

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About Charles Cavendish Boyle

Lived 1849 – 1916 (aged 67). Charles Cavendish Boyle was a British writer, colonial administrator and governor.

Sir Charles Cavendish Boyle (29 May 1849 – 17 September 1916) was a British civil servant, magistrate, and colonial administrator who served as Colonial Governor of Newfoundland, Mauritius and British Guiana. He wrote the lyrics for the anthem of the Dominion and later Province of Newfoundland, "Ode to Newfoundland".

Early life and education Known as Cavendish Boyle, he was born in Barbados into an ancient Irish family, the son of Capt. Cavendish Spencer Boyle and Rose Susan Alexander, daughter of Lt-Col. C. C. Alexander. He was the grandson of Sir Courtenay Boyle and the great-grandson of the Seventh Earl of Cork and Earl of Orrery.

Boyle was educated in London at Charterhouse, and later studied colonial administration and law. and granted a knighthood in the same order in the 1897 Diamond Jubilee Honours.

In 1894 he moved to British Guiana, where he was Government Secretary and acted as Governor several times. where he arrived in St. Johns in mid-June. He stayed as such until 1904, and wrote poems to the island's rugged beauty including the Ode to Newfoundland which was adopted as the dominion's national anthem. As governor, Boyle donated a trophy, the Boyle Challenge Cup, to the Newfoundland Hockey League.

He continued his colonial career with a posting as the 19th Governor of Mauritius from 20 August 1904 to 10 April 1911, after which he retired to Brighton, England.

Personal life In 1914, Boyle married to Louise Judith Sassoon , daughter of Reuben David Sassoon (1835-1905). They had no children. He died in London in 1916 after undergoing an operation. His widow, who was 25 years his junior, lived to be 90, dying in 1964.

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Important facts

Birth century
Education
Charterhouse School
Positions held
Governor of British Mauritius, Governor of Newfoundland
Awards
Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
Also known as
Cavendish Boyle, Sir Charles Cavendish Boyle

People in Charles Cavendish Boyle's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Charles Cavendish Boyle's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Charles Cavendish Boyle?

British colonial governor

When was Charles Cavendish Boyle born?

Charles Cavendish Boyle was born on 29 May 1849 in Bridgetown.

When did Charles Cavendish Boyle die?

Charles Cavendish Boyle died on 7 September 1916 in London.

What was Charles Cavendish Boyle's occupation?

Charles Cavendish Boyle was a writer, colonial administrator and governor.

What nationality was Charles Cavendish Boyle?

Charles Cavendish Boyle was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Charles Cavendish Boyle

· Wikidata: Q5076154

· DBpedia: Cavendish Boyle

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Charles Cavendish Boyle. https://biography.guide/charles-cavendish-boyle/

MLA: "Charles Cavendish Boyle." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/charles-cavendish-boyle/.

Chicago: "Charles Cavendish Boyle." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/charles-cavendish-boyle/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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