# Francis Bell

_New Zealand politician (1851-1936)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/francis-bell
Last updated: 2026-11-02

> Sir Francis Henry Dillon Bell was a New Zealand lawyer and politician who served as the 20th prime minister of New Zealand from 14 to 30 May 1925. He was the first New Zealand-born prime minister, holding office in a caretaker capacity following the death of William Massey.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 31 March 1851 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q742508#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Nelson ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q742508#P19))
- **Died:** 13 March 1936 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q742508#P570))
- **Place of death:** Wellington ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q742508#P20))
- **Citizenship:** New Zealand ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q742508#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; cricketer; diplomat; lawyer; barrister; judge ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q742508#P106))
- **Political party:** New Zealand Reform Party ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q742508#P102))
- **Education:** Auckland Grammar School; St John's College ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q742508#P69))
- **Positions held:** Prime Minister of New Zealand (14 May 1925 – 30 May 1925); Minister of Foreign Affairs (7 June 1923 – 18 January 1926); Minister of Justice (13 January 1923 – 27 June 1923); Minister of Internal Affairs (17 January 1920 – 14 May 1920); Minister of Education of New Zealand (4 September 1919 – 3 April 1920); Minister of Health (4 September 1919 – 3 April 1920); Attorney-General of New Zealand (4 February 1918 – 18 January 1926); Minister of Internal Affairs (10 July 1912 – 12 August 1915); Mayor of Wellington (1897–1897); Mayor of Wellington (1892–1893); Member of the New Zealand Parliament; ambassador ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q742508#P39))
- **Awards:** Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q742508#P166))

## Questions

**When was Francis Bell born?**  
Francis Bell was born on 31 March 1851 in Nelson.

**What positions has Francis Bell held?**  
Positions held by Francis Bell include: Prime Minister of New Zealand (1925–1925); Minister of Foreign Affairs (1923–1926); Minister of Justice (1923–1923); Minister of Internal Affairs (1920–1920); Minister of Education of New Zealand (1919–1920).

**Where did Francis Bell study?**  
Francis Bell was educated at Auckland Grammar School, St John's College.

## Related

- [John Hall](https://diginpl.com/people/john-hall)
- [David Lange](https://diginpl.com/people/david-lange)
- [William Hall-Jones](https://diginpl.com/people/william-hall-jones)
- [Mike Moore](https://diginpl.com/people/mike-moore)
- [Richard Seddon](https://diginpl.com/people/richard-seddon)
- [Keith Holyoake](https://diginpl.com/people/keith-holyoake)
- [Walter Nash](https://diginpl.com/people/walter-nash)
- [Gordon Coates](https://diginpl.com/people/gordon-coates)
- [George Forbes](https://diginpl.com/people/george-forbes)
- [Henry Sewell](https://diginpl.com/people/henry-sewell)
- [Geoffrey Palmer](https://diginpl.com/people/geoffrey-palmer-q1385100)
- [Jack Marshall](https://diginpl.com/people/jack-marshall)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Francis Bell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Bell_(New_Zealand_politician)) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q742508](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q742508) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Sir Francis Henry Dillon Bell, ca 1924.jpg by National Library NZ on The Commons (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sir_Francis_Henry_Dillon_Bell,_ca_1924.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Francis Bell, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Sir Francis Henry Dillon Bell, ca 1924.jpg — National Library NZ on The Commons, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Francis Bell". DigiNepal. Last updated 2 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/francis-bell. Retrieved 6 November 2026.