Henry William Bentinck (15 November 1765–10 November 1820) was a Dutch-born military officer, planter and colonial administrator. He served as Governor of Saint Vincent (1802–1806), Essequibo Demerara (1806–1812), and Berbice (1814–1820).[1]
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, and a relative of William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland. Bentinck was educated in Great-Britain.[1] He served 12 years in the cavalry of William V, Prince of Orange.[2] [1] On 18 January 1795, William V fled from the Netherlands, and went into exile in Great-Britain.[4] In the same year, Bentinck left for Great-Britain,[3] and started to work for the British colonial service.[1]
In 1802, he was appointed Governor of Saint Vincent and served until 1806.[5] 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.[5] 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.[5]
On 10 November 1820, Bentinck died in Georgetown, at the age of 54.[10]
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