Warren Hastings

Warren Hastings FRS (6 December 1732 – 22 August 1818) was a British colonial administrator, who served as the first Governor of the Presidency of Fort William (Bengal), the head of the Supreme Council of Bengal, and so the first Governor-General of Bengal in 1772–1785. He and Robert Clive are credited with laying the foundation of the British Empire in India. He was an energetic organizer and reformer. In 1779–1784 he led forces of the East India Company against a coalition of native states and the French. Finally, the well-organized British side held its own, while France lost influence in India. In 1787, he was accused of corruption and impeached, but after a long trial acquitted in 1795. He was made a Privy Councillor in 1814.

Warren Hastings
Portrait by Tilly Kettle
Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William
In office
20 October 1773  8 February 1785
MonarchGeorge III
Preceded byPosition created
Succeeded bySir John Macpherson, Bt
As acting Governor-General
Governor of the Presidency of Fort William (Bengal)
In office
28 April 1772  20 October 1773
Preceded byJohn Cartier
Succeeded byPosition abolished
Personal details
Born(1732-12-06)6 December 1732
Churchill, Oxfordshire
Died22 August 1818(1818-08-22) (aged 85)
Daylesford, Gloucestershire
NationalityBritish
Spouse(s)
Mary Buchanan
(m. 1756; died 1759)

(m. 1777)
ResidenceDaylesford House
Alma materWestminster School
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