Henry William Bentinck

This article is about the colonial governor. For the Conservative politician, see Lord Henry Bentinck.

Henry William Bentinck (born Hendrik Willem Bentinck; 15 November 1765 – 10 November 1820) was a Dutch-born British colonial administrator who served as the governor of Saint Vincent (1802–1806), Essequibo Demerara (1806–1812), and Berbice (1814–1820).^[1]

Biography

Bentinck was born in The Hague, Dutch Republic on 15 November 1765 as Hendrik Willem Bentinck.^[2][3] He was a grandson of Willem Bentinck van Rhoon,^[4]: 71 and a relative of William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland.^[4] Bentinck was educated in Great-Britain.^[1]: 13 He served 12 years as a cavalry officer in the Dutch States Army.^[2][1]: 13 On 18 January 1795, William V fled from the Netherlands, and went into exile in Great-Britain.^[5] In the same year, Bentinck left for Great-Britain,^[3] and started to work for the British colonial service.^[1]: 13

In 1802, he was appointed Governor of Saint Vincent and served until 1806.^[4]: 32 After returning from England, he was appointed Governor of Demerara and Essequibo on 10 May 1806.^[6] The British government issued a rule overturning the Demerara Court of Policy's decision to proscribe slaves from holding meetings at night. Bentinck delayed implementing the rule, and was dismissed as a result.^[4]: 32 In April 1812, he returned to England and was succeeded by Hugh Lyle Carmichael.^[7] On 8 January 1814, Bentinck served as Governor of Berbice.^[8] In Berbice, he was also owner of plantation "La Bonne Intention".^[9] He was involved in cotton, but ran into financial difficulties.^{[4]: 14–15}

On 10 November 1820, Bentinck died in Georgetown, at the age of 54.^[10]