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{{Short description|A British surgeon}}
⚫
'''Valesius Skipton Gouldsbury''' CMG (17 March 1839 – 11 November 1896) was a British surgeon, military officer, and colonial administrator. He served as [[List of colonial governors of the Gambia|Administrator of the Gambia]] from 1877 to 1884, and [[List of colonial governors and administrators of Saint Lucia|Administrator of Saint Lucia]] from 1891 to 1896.
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Valesius Skipton Gouldsbury
| honorific-suffix = [[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| office = [[List of colonial governors and administrators of Saint Lucia|Administrator of Saint Lucia]]
| term_start = 2 April 1891
| term_end = 11 November 1896
| monarch = [[Queen Victoria|Victoria]]
| predecessor = [[Robert Baxter Llewelyn]]
| successor = [[Charles King-Harman]]
| office2 = [[List of colonial governors of the Gambia|Administrator of the Gambia]]
| term_start2 = 30 March 1877
| term_end2 = March 1884
| monarch2 = Victoria
| predecessor2 = [[Samuel Rowe (colonial administrator)|Samuel Rowe]]
| successor2 = [[Cornelius Alfred Moloney]]
| birth_date = 17 March 1839
| birth_place = [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]], [[United Kingdom]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1896|11|11|1839|03|17|df=y}}
| death_place = [[London]], [[England]]
| resting_place =
| resting_place_coordinates =
| alma_mater = [[University College Dublin|Queen's College, Dublin]]
<!--Military service-->
| nickname =
| allegiance =
| branch = [[British Army]]
| serviceyears = 1863–1885
| rank = Brigadier Surgeon
| unit = [[Royal Army Medical Corps|Army Medical Service]]
| commands =
| battles =
}}
⚫
'''Valesius Skipton Gouldsbury''' <small>[[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]]</small> (17 March 1839 – 11 November 1896) was a British surgeon, military officer, and colonial administrator. He served as [[List of colonial governors of the Gambia|Administrator of the Gambia]] from 1877 to 1884, and [[List of colonial governors and administrators of Saint Lucia|Administrator of Saint Lucia]] from 1891 to 1896.


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
Gouldsbury was born in [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]], in 1839.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Historical Dictionary of the Gambia|last=Perfect|first=David|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2016|location=Lanham|pages=189}}</ref> He studied at the [[Adelaide Hospital (Dublin)|Ledwich School of Medicine]], and became a Licentiate of Medicine at [[Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital|Coombe Hospital]] in 1857. In 1862, he graduated with a doctorate in medicine without honours from the [[Queen's University of Ireland]], and was admitted as a member of the [[Royal College of Surgeons of England]] in the same year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001424/18770310/030/0004|title=The Governor of Gambia|date=10 March 1877|work=Dublin Weekly Nation|access-date=17 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000425/18621017/039/0003|title=Conferring of Degrees|date=17 October 1892|work=Cork Examiner|access-date=17 May 2018}}</ref>
Gouldsbury was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1839. He was educated at [[University College Dublin|Queen's College, Dublin]], and qualified as a surgeon in 1862.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Historical Dictionary of the Gambia|last=Perfect|first=David|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2016|isbn=|location=Lanham|pages=189}}</ref>


== Military career ==
== Military career ==
Gouldsbury was appointed as a Staff Assistant Surgeon on 30 September 1863.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/22839/page/1823/data.pdf|title=Medical Department|last=|first=|date=29 March 1864|website=London Gazette|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=17 May 2018}}</ref> He served in the [[Anglo-Ashanti wars|Anglo-Ashante Wars]] in the [[Gold Coast (British colony)|Gold Coast]] from 1873 to 1874 and was presented with a sword by the [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]] for his conduct. He was promoted to Surgeon Major in 1876<ref name=":0" /> and was placed in charge of the Salafa Expedition in that same year. He was promoted to Surgeon Lieutenant-Colonel in 1883, and placed on retirement pay with the rank of Brigade Surgeon in 1885.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/special-collections/lot.php?specialcollection_id=112&lot_id=130599|title=The Collection of Medals to the Medical Services formed by Colonel D.G.B. Riddick|last=|first=|date=22 September 2006|website=DNW Auctions|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=17 May 2018}}</ref>
Gouldsbury was appointed as a Staff Assistant Surgeon on 30 September 1863.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/22839/page/1823/data.pdf|title=Medical Department|date=29 March 1864|website=London Gazette|access-date=17 May 2018}}</ref> He served in the [[Anglo-Ashanti wars|Anglo-Ashante Wars]] in the [[Gold Coast (British colony)|Gold Coast]] from 1873 to 1874 and was presented with a sword by the [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]] for his conduct. He was promoted to Surgeon Major in 1876<ref name=":0" /> and was placed in charge of the Salafa Expedition in that same year. He was promoted to Surgeon Lieutenant-Colonel in 1883, and placed on retirement pay with the rank of Brigade Surgeon in 1885.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/special-collections/lot.php?specialcollection_id=112&lot_id=130599|title=The Collection of Medals to the Medical Services formed by Colonel D.G.B. Riddick|date=22 September 2006|website=DNW Auctions|access-date=17 May 2018}}</ref>


== Colonial service ==
== Colonial service ==
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Gouldsbury was assigned as Administrator of the Gambia in 1877. He was a controversial administrator, and his policies were criticised by the Gambia Native Association. Among his achievements was appointing J.D. Richards to the [[Legislative Council of the Gambia|Legislative Council]] in 1883, being the first African member. Gouldsbury led an expedition into the Gambia in 1881, as far as [[Fouta Djallon|Futa Jallon]], to investigate trade opportunities. He also established friendly relations with a number of rulers, and signed a number of treaties. Gouldsbury's negative report of trade prospects confirmed a feeling in London that further expansion into the interior would cost more than it gained. Gouldsbury left the Gambia in March 1884.<ref name=":0" />
Gouldsbury was assigned as Administrator of the Gambia in 1877. He was a controversial administrator, and his policies were criticised by the Gambia Native Association. Among his achievements was appointing J.D. Richards to the [[Legislative Council of the Gambia|Legislative Council]] in 1883, being the first African member. Gouldsbury led an expedition into the Gambia in 1881, as far as [[Fouta Djallon|Futa Jallon]], to investigate trade opportunities. He also established friendly relations with a number of rulers, and signed a number of treaties. Gouldsbury's negative report of trade prospects confirmed a feeling in London that further expansion into the interior would cost more than it gained. Gouldsbury left the Gambia in March 1884.<ref name=":0" />


He was appointed as [[List of colonial governors and administrators of Saint Lucia|Administrator of Saint Lucia]] on 2 April 1891. He was also appointed as Acting Governor of the Windward Islands on the same date, in the absence of a Governor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/26149/page/1870/data.pdf|title=Downing Street|last=|first=|date=3 April 1891|website=London Gazette|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=17 May 2018}}</ref> He served in Saint Lucia until 1896.<ref name=":0" />
He was appointed as [[List of colonial governors and administrators of Saint Lucia|Administrator of Saint Lucia]] on 2 April 1891. He was also appointed as Acting Governor of the Windward Islands on the same date, in the absence of a Governor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/26149/page/1870/data.pdf|title=Downing Street|date=3 April 1891|website=London Gazette|access-date=17 May 2018}}</ref> He served in Saint Lucia until 1896.<ref name=":0" />


== Death ==
== Death ==
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== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

{{Governors of the Gambia}}
{{Governors of the Gambia}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Gouldsbury, Valesius Skipton}}
[[Category:Governors of the Gambia]]
[[Category:Governors of the Gambia]]
[[Category:1839 births]]
[[Category:1839 births]]

Latest revision as of 06:30, 12 April 2022

Valesius Skipton Gouldsbury
CMG
Administrator of Saint Lucia
In office
2 April 1891 – 11 November 1896
MonarchVictoria
Preceded byRobert Baxter Llewelyn
Succeeded byCharles King-Harman
Administrator of the Gambia
In office
30 March 1877 – March 1884
MonarchVictoria
Preceded bySamuel Rowe
Succeeded byCornelius Alfred Moloney
Personal details
Born17 March 1839
Dublin, Ireland, United Kingdom
Died11 November 1896(1896-11-11) (aged 57)
London, England
Alma materQueen's College, Dublin
Military service
Branch/serviceBritish Army
Years of service1863–1885
RankBrigadier Surgeon
UnitArmy Medical Service

Valesius Skipton Gouldsbury CMG (17 March 1839 – 11 November 1896) was a British surgeon, military officer, and colonial administrator. He served as Administrator of the Gambia from 1877 to 1884, and Administrator of Saint Lucia from 1891 to 1896.

Early life and education

[edit]

Gouldsbury was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1839.[1] He studied at the Ledwich School of Medicine, and became a Licentiate of Medicine at Coombe Hospital in 1857. In 1862, he graduated with a doctorate in medicine without honours from the Queen's University of Ireland, and was admitted as a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in the same year.[2][3]

Military career

[edit]

Gouldsbury was appointed as a Staff Assistant Surgeon on 30 September 1863.[4] He served in the Anglo-Ashante Wars in the Gold Coast from 1873 to 1874 and was presented with a sword by the Secretary of State for the Colonies for his conduct. He was promoted to Surgeon Major in 1876[1] and was placed in charge of the Salafa Expedition in that same year. He was promoted to Surgeon Lieutenant-Colonel in 1883, and placed on retirement pay with the rank of Brigade Surgeon in 1885.[5]

Colonial service

[edit]

Before serving in the Gambia, Gouldsbury was Civil Commandant at Accra.[5]

Gouldsbury was assigned as Administrator of the Gambia in 1877. He was a controversial administrator, and his policies were criticised by the Gambia Native Association. Among his achievements was appointing J.D. Richards to the Legislative Council in 1883, being the first African member. Gouldsbury led an expedition into the Gambia in 1881, as far as Futa Jallon, to investigate trade opportunities. He also established friendly relations with a number of rulers, and signed a number of treaties. Gouldsbury's negative report of trade prospects confirmed a feeling in London that further expansion into the interior would cost more than it gained. Gouldsbury left the Gambia in March 1884.[1]

He was appointed as Administrator of Saint Lucia on 2 April 1891. He was also appointed as Acting Governor of the Windward Islands on the same date, in the absence of a Governor.[6] He served in Saint Lucia until 1896.[1]

Death

[edit]

Gouldsbury suffered from failing health in Saint Lucia, and left in 1896 to return to England in an attempt to recover. He died in London on 11 November 1896.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Perfect, David (2016). Historical Dictionary of the Gambia. Lanham: Scarecrow Press. p. 189.
  2. ^ "The Governor of Gambia". Dublin Weekly Nation. 10 March 1877. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Conferring of Degrees". Cork Examiner. 17 October 1892. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  4. ^ "Medical Department" (PDF). London Gazette. 29 March 1864. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  5. ^ a b "The Collection of Medals to the Medical Services formed by Colonel D.G.B. Riddick". DNW Auctions. 22 September 2006. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  6. ^ "Downing Street" (PDF). London Gazette. 3 April 1891. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
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