# Richard Graves MacDonnell

_Former Governor of the Gambia, South Australia, Nova Scotia, and Hong Kong (1814-1881)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/richard-graves-macdonnell
Last updated: 2026-11-04

> Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell was an Anglo-Irish lawyer, judge and colonial governor. His posts as governor included Governor of the British Settlements in West Africa, Governor of Saint Vincent, Governor of South Australia, Governor of Nova Scotia and Governor of Hong Kong. Several places around the world are named for him, including MacDonnell Road in Hong Kong and the MacDonnell Ranges and Sir Richard Peninsula in Australia.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 3 September 1814 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q337005#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Dublin ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q337005#P19))
- **Died:** 5 February 1881 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q337005#P570))
- **Place of death:** Hyères ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q337005#P20))
- **Citizenship:** United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q337005#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; lawyer; judge; colonial administrator ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q337005#P106))
- **Education:** Trinity College, Dublin ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q337005#P69))
- **Spouse:** Blanche Ann Skurray ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q337005#P26))
- **Positions held:** Governor of Hong Kong (11 March 1866 – 11 April 1872); Governor of South Australia (8 June 1855 – 4 March 1862); Governor of the Gambia (1847–1851); Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q337005#P39))
- **Awards:** Companion of the Order of the Bath; Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q337005#P166))

## Questions

**When was Richard Graves MacDonnell born?**  
Richard Graves MacDonnell was born on 3 September 1814 in Dublin.

**What positions has Richard Graves MacDonnell held?**  
Positions held by Richard Graves MacDonnell include: Governor of Hong Kong (1866–1872); Governor of South Australia (1855–1862); Governor of the Gambia (1847–1851); Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.

**Where did Richard Graves MacDonnell study?**  
Richard Graves MacDonnell was educated at Trinity College, Dublin.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Richard Graves MacDonnell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Graves_MacDonnell) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q337005](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q337005) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Richard Graves MacDonnell.jpg by Unknown author Unknown author (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Richard_Graves_MacDonnell.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Richard Graves MacDonnell, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Richard Graves MacDonnell.jpg — Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Richard Graves MacDonnell". DigiNepal. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/richard-graves-macdonnell. Retrieved 6 November 2026.