Biography

Controversial British politician from Breckonshire. One of the leading foreign statesmen of the Victorian age, he made his name in India where he joined the Indian Civil Service (1839) and rose to become Chief Commissioner of Sind (1850-1859). In recognition of his decisive suppression of the First War of Indian Independence (1857), he was given a knighthood and made a member of the Viceroy's Council in Calcutta (1859-1862). He was appointed the first Governor of Bombay (1862-1867) after the city reverted to the Crown following the downfall of The East India Company. Frere is credited with restructuring both this city into its currrent form and Karachi. His final posting in India was as a member of the India Council (1867-1877) after which he returned to England.

Frere was subsequently appointed Governer of South Africa (1877-1880) but was criticised for his part in provoking the Anglo-Zulu war (1879). Frere had long been an opponent of slavery and was chosen to lead the so-called Frere Mission (1872-1873) to formulate a treaty which would bring the flourishing Zanzibar trade to a close. When the draft treaty was rejected he ordered a naval blockade to force an end to international trade in slaves, though it would be many years before slavery was finally abolished within many African countries. His precipitative actions caused consternation in London and were considered by some officials to be 'an act of war', earning him the enmity of W.E. Gladstone. The latter had his revenge on becoming Prime Minister in 1880, when he recalled Frere to London and publicly humiliated him. Bartle Frere died a few years later in Wimbledon, a broken man. The highest mountain in Queensland, Mt Bartle Frere, was named in his honour (1873) by Scottish explorer George A.F.E. Dalrymple.