Sir Charles Trevelyan, 1st Baronet

Charles Edward Trevelyan

Sir Charles Trevelyan, 1st Baronet (2 April 1807 – 19 June 1886) was a British civil servant and colonial administrator. He is best known for his role in the administration of British India and his controversial handling of the Great Famine in Ireland.

Early Life and Education

Charles Edward Trevelyan was born on 2 April 1807 in Nettlecombe, Somerset. He was the son of George Trevelyan and Harriet Neave. Trevelyan was educated at Charterhouse School and later attended Haileybury College, which was the training institution for the East India Company.

Career

Indian Civil Service

Trevelyan joined the Indian Civil Service in 1826. He served in various capacities in British India, including as a district officer in Bengal and later as a secretary to the government. He was known for his administrative reforms and efforts to improve the efficiency of the civil service.

Great Famine in Ireland

In 1846, Trevelyan was appointed as the Assistant Secretary to the Treasury. During the Great Famine, he was responsible for overseeing the British government's response. His policies, which included limited direct aid and reliance on market forces, have been widely criticized for exacerbating the suffering of the Irish population.

Later Career

After his tenure at the Treasury, Trevelyan returned to India, where he served as the Governor of Madras Presidency from 1859 to 1860. He was also involved in various educational and administrative reforms in India.

Personal Life

Trevelyan married Hannah More Macaulay, the sister of the historian Thomas Babington Macaulay. They had several children, including George Otto Trevelyan, who became a prominent historian and politician.

Legacy

Trevelyan's legacy is mixed. While he is credited with significant administrative reforms, his role in the Irish Famine remains a subject of controversy. He was created a baronet in 1874, becoming Sir Charles Trevelyan, 1st Baronet.

See Also

• Great Famine of Ireland (1845–1852)
• British India
• Indian Civil Service
• Madras Presidency
• George Otto Trevelyan