# George Grey

_British soldier, explorer, colonial administrator and writer (1812–1898)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/george-grey
Last updated: 2026-11-03

> Sir George Grey was a British soldier, explorer, colonial administrator and writer. He served in a succession of governing positions: Governor of South Australia, twice Governor of New Zealand, Governor of Cape Colony, and the 11th premier of New Zealand. He played a key role in the colonisation of New Zealand, and both the purchase and annexation of Māori land.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 14 April 1812 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q76821#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Lisbon ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q76821#P19))
- **Died:** 19 September 1898 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q76821#P570))
- **Place of death:** London ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q76821#P20))
- **Citizenship:** United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q76821#P27))
- **Occupation:** explorer; politician; military officer; governor; discoverer ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q76821#P106))
- **Education:** Royal Military College, Sandhurst; Royal Grammar School, Guildford ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q76821#P69))
- **Spouse:** Eliza Grey ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q76821#P26))
- **Positions held:** Minister of Finance (10 July 1879 – 8 October 1879); Prime Minister of New Zealand (13 October 1877 – 8 October 1879); Superintendent (since 1875); Governor-General of New Zealand (1861–1868); Governor-General of New Zealand (1845–1853); Governor of South Australia (15 May 1841 – 25 October 1845); Member of the South Australian Legislative Council (15 May 1841 – 25 October 1845); Member of the New Zealand Parliament ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q76821#P39))
- **Awards:** Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath; Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi; Silver Medal of the Zoological Society of London ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q76821#P166))

## Questions

**When was George Grey born?**  
George Grey was born on 14 April 1812 in Lisbon.

**What positions has George Grey held?**  
Positions held by George Grey include: Minister of Finance (1879–1879); Prime Minister of New Zealand (1877–1879); Superintendent (since 1875); Governor-General of New Zealand (1861–1868); Governor-General of New Zealand (1845–1853).

**Where did George Grey study?**  
George Grey was educated at Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Royal Grammar School, Guildford.

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- [Keith Holyoake](https://diginpl.com/people/keith-holyoake)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): George Grey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Grey) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q76821](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q76821) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: GeorgeEdwardGrey02.jpg by Mundy, Daniel Louis, 1826?-1881 (photographer) (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GeorgeEdwardGrey02.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article George Grey, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: GeorgeEdwardGrey02.jpg — Mundy, Daniel Louis, 1826?-1881 (photographer), Public domain.

## Cite this page

"George Grey". DigiNepal. Last updated 3 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/george-grey. Retrieved 6 November 2026.