George Lee (postmaster)

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George Lee
Postmaster General of Ceylon
In office
1844 - 1859
Preceded byGeorge William Stewart
Succeeded byWilliam Barton
Personal details
Born
George A. Lee

1831
Died14 September 1860
Frogmore, Guernsey
NationalityBritish
Spouse(s)Martha née Austin (m.1841)
ChildrenLionel Frederick; Henry Austin; Gertrude Fanny
Occupationpublic servant

George Lee (1831 - 14 September 1860) was the first Superintendent of the Government Printing Office in Ceylon, between 1833 and 1835 and the Postmaster General of Ceylon between 1844 and 1859.

Lee was a highly accomplished literary man, son of an Amsterdam merchant, who traveled to Ceylon in October 1831, as a member of Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton's staff.[1] Wilmot-Horton served as the Governor of Ceylon between 1831 and 1837.

The Colombo Journal was published on 1 January 1832 and printed at the Government Press, with Lee as its editor.[2] Lee was the Superintendent of the Government Press at that time. The newspaper was closed by the Colonial Office on 31 December 1833, following its criticism of the British government.[3][4] Lee was succeeded as Superintendent by Lieutenant Colonel Grey in 1835.

On 3 May 1837 the first issue of a new English newspaper Ceylon Chronicle was published. The first editor of this paper was Rev. Samuel Owen Glenie, the Colonial Chaplain and later . When the Bishop of India objected to this appointment Lee was appointed as editor. The newspaper was short-lived and ceased publication on 3 September 1838.[4][5][3]

In 1847 using his position as the former Superintendent of the Government Printing Office, he prepared and printed an English translation by Joachim Le Grand of João Ribeiro's History of Ceylon.[6] He also acted as the Colonial Auditor-General on two occasions.[2] He retired from the Ceylon Civil Service on 1 September 1859 and returned to England.[7]

Lee married Martha Austin, daughter of James Austin and Sophia née Hill, at St. Paul's Church, Kandy, on 2 October 1841.[1][8] They had several children including, Lionel Frederick (1845-1899), who served as the Treasurer of Ceylon; Henry Austin KCMG, CB (1847-1918), who served in the British Diplomatic Service; and Gertrude Fanny (1849-1911), who married Charles Pickering Hayley (the founder of Hayleys).[1][9]

Lee died at his residence, Frogmore, on Guernsey, Channel Islands on 14 September 1860, at the age of 61.

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Lewis, John Penry (1913). List of inscriptions on tombstones and monuments in Ceylon, of historical or local interest, with an obituary of persons uncommemorated. Dalcassian Publishing Company. p. 141.
  2. ^ a b "Journal of the Dutch Burgher Union of Ceylon". Ceylon's First Newspaper. Dutch Burgher Union of Ceylon. XXXVIIL: 80. July 1948.
  3. ^ a b Brady, Linda (2005). "Colonials, bourgeoisies and media dynasties: A case study of Sri Lankan media" (PDF). University of Queensland. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Journalism in Ceylon: Force for progressive social change". The Daily News. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Significant events in May: An English newspaper". The Sunday Times. 30 April 2006. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  6. ^ Ribeiro, João (1999). The Historic Tragedy of the Island of Ceilāo. Translated by Pieris, Paul Edward. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 9788120613348.
  7. ^ Plâté Limited (1924). Ceylon: Its History, People, Commerce, Industries and Resources. Plâté Limited. p. 85.
  8. ^ "The Kabistran Archives - Ireland - Ceylon - India". Kandy Marriage Records 1841-1844 Ceylon (Sri Lanka). The Kabristan Archives. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  9. ^ Senanayake, Manouri P Senanayake (2018). Odyssey of a Runaway Child: Galle to Australia's Goldfields and Beyond. ISBN 9789555333672.

External links[]

  • Liyanage, Michael (1987). The History of the Sri Lanka Post Office: 1815-1987. Colombo: Union of Post & Telecommunication Officers, Sri Lanka.
  • Sri Lanka Post
Government offices
Preceded by Postmaster General of Ceylon
1833–1859 		Succeeded by
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