Charles Elliot

Admiral Sir Charles Elliot KCB
Chief Superintendent of British Trade in China
In office 14 December 1836 – 12 August 1841
Preceded by	Sir George Robinson
Succeeded by	Sir Henry Pottinger
Administrator of Hong Kong
In office 26 January 1841 – 12 August 1841
Monarch	Victoria
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Alexander Johnston (Acting)
Governor of Bermuda
In office 25 December 1846 – 13 February 1854
Preceded by	Sir William Reid
Succeeded by	Freeman Murray
Governor of Trinidad
In office 10 March 1854 – 27 October 1856
Preceded by	George Harris
Succeeded by	Robert Keate
Governor of Saint Helena
In office 3 July 1863 – 29 January 1870
Preceded by	Sir Edward Hay
Succeeded by	Charles Patey
Personal details
Born	15 August 1801 Dresden, Saxony, Holy Roman Empire
Died	9 September 1875(1875-09-09) (aged 74) Exmouth, Devon, England, United Kingdom
Resting place	St John in the Wilderness, Exmouth, England
Spouse	Clara Windsor
Children	5
Parent(s)	Hugh Elliot Margaret Jones

Admiral Sir Charles Elliot KCB (15 August 1801 – 9 September 1875) was a British Royal Navy officer, diplomat, and colonial administrator. He became the first Administrator of Hong Kong in 1841 while serving as both Plenipotentiary and Chief Superintendent of British Trade in China. He was a key founder in the establishment of Hong Kong as a British colony.^[1]

Born in Dresden, Saxony, Elliot joined the Royal Navy in 1815 and served as a midshipman in the bombardment of Algiers against Barbary pirates the following year. After serving in the East Indies Station for four years, he joined the Home Station in 1820. He joined the West Africa Squadron and became a lieutenant in 1822. After serving in the West Indies Station, he was promoted to captain in 1828. He met Clara Windsor in Haiti and they married in 1828.

After retiring from active naval service, Elliot followed a career in the Foreign Office. From 1830 to 1833, he was Protector of Slaves in Guiana. In 1834, he went to China as Master Attendant to the staff of Chief Superintendent Lord Napier. He became Plenipotentiary and Chief Superintendent from 1836 to 1841. From 1842 to 1846, Elliot was chargé d'affaires and consul general in the Republic of Texas. He served as Governor of Bermuda (1846–54), Governor of Trinidad (1854–56), and Governor of Saint Helena (1863–70). He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1856.