Introduction
Colonel Sir Thomas Robert Gore Browne KCMG CB (3 July 1807 – 17 April 1887) was a British colonial administrator, who was Governor of St Helena, Governor of New Zealand, Governor of Tasmania and Governor of Bermuda.
Early life
Browne was born in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England, the first son of Robert Browne of Morton House, in Buckinghamshire, and of Sarah Dorothea Steward; his younger brother was Harold Browne (later Bishop of Winchester.) He served with the British Army in Afghanistan and India. In 1824 he purchased an Ensigncy in the 44th Foot, but three months later exchanged into the 28th Foot. In 1829 he purchased a Captaincy. In 1836, as a Major, he exchanged into the 41st Foot. In 1842 he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army, in 1845 he purchased the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 41st Foot, and in 1849 he exchanged into the 21st Foot. He was Governor of St Helena from July 1851 to December 1854. He was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army in 1854, by which time he was back in his original regiment, the 44th Foot.
In 1857, he exchanged from the 14th Foot to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 43rd Foot.
Governor of New Zealand
In September 1855, he was appointed Governor of New Zealand, replacing temporary Administrator Robert Wynyard. His handling of Māori land issues were a contributing factor in the outbreak of the First Taranaki War: despite divisions among Waitara Maori over the ownership of land, Browne persisted with the purchase of the disputed Pekapeka block, further inflaming tensions between Maori and English settlers.
On 5 March 1860, Browne ordered the military occupation of the land, leading to the outbreak of war twelve days later.
The town of Gore, New Zealand was named after him.
Governor of Tasmania
From 1861 until 1868 he was Governor of Tasmania.
He was promoted Colonel in the Army in 1864.
Administrator of Bermuda
From September 1870 to April 1871, he was Administrator of Bermuda.
He died in London on 17 April 1887.
Family
He married Harriet, daughter of James Campbell of Craigie, Ayrshire, who survived him.
They had several children. The eldest son, Harold, commanded the first battalion king's royal rifle corps in the Boer war of 1899-1900, and took part in the defence of Ladysmith. His daughter Ethel married Hugh Locke King, they built the Brooklands motor racing circuit on estate they farmed. His youngest son, Wilfrid was the first Bishop of Kimberley and Kuruman in South Africa. ,