Kenneth Murchison
Introduction
Kenneth Murchison was the Resident Councillor of Penang and Singapore, as well as the third Governor of Straits Settlements.
Early life
Murchison was born in Scotland in 1794 to Barbara (née Mackenzie) and Kenneth Murchison. His elder brother was geologist Roderick Murchison. The family moved from Ross-shire in Scotland to Bathampton in Somerset England for his father to recuperate from an illness, but would died there in 1796. His mother then took the family to Edinburgh and remarried.
Career
He began his working career with the East India Company. He was appointed the resident councillor of Penang on 29 November 1827, he was also appointed the resident councillor of Singapore. He became the Governor of the Straits Settlements on 7 December 1833, and his deputy was George Bonham. Bonham took over as Governor on 17 November 1836.
Personal life
Murchison was married to Charlotte Pryce in 1815 and had a daughter Charlotte. His first wife died in 1816, and he married Anne with whom he had two sons, Kenneth-Robert and Roderick.
He died on 1 August 1854.