William John Butterworth
Governor of the Straits Settlements 1843-1855
About William John Butterworth
Lived 1801 – 1856 (aged 55). William John Butterworth was a British british Governor of the Straits Settlements.
Major-General William John Butterworth (10 June 1801 – 4 November 1856) was the governor of the Straits Settlements from August 1843 to 21 March 1855. In 1851, when the Straits Settlements were transferred from the authority of the Governor of Bengal to be directly under the control of the Governor-General of India, Butterworth remained as governor.
Career Butterworth joined the army in Madras and rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the 38th Madras Regiment. While he was governor of the Straits Settlements, Butterworth was instrumental in establishing the Singapore Volunteer Corps. Butterworth was later promoted to major general in 1855.
Personal life
Butterworth's parents were Captain William Butterworth RN and his wife Ann (née Hodgkinson). Captain Butterworth died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Awards and honours Butterworth was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 1838 Coronation Honours.
Legacy The town of Butterworth, Penang is named after him.
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Important facts
People in William John Butterworth's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped William John Butterworth's
Frequently asked questions
Who was William John Butterworth?
Governor of the Straits Settlements 1843-1855
When was William John Butterworth born?
William John Butterworth was born on 10 June 1801.
When did William John Butterworth die?
William John Butterworth died on 4 November 1856 in Singapore.
What was William John Butterworth's occupation?
William John Butterworth was a british Governor of the Straits Settlements.
What nationality was William John Butterworth?
William John Butterworth was British.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: William John Butterworth
· DBpedia: William John Butterworth
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William John Butterworth. https://biography.guide/william-john-butterworth/
MLA: "William John Butterworth." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-john-butterworth/.
Chicago: "William John Butterworth." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-john-butterworth/.
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