Francis Henry May

Sir Francis Henry May (1860 - 1922) was a British colonial administrator.

May was born in Dublin, Ireland on I4 March 1860. He was the 4th son of late Rt. Son. G. A. C. May, Lord Chief-Justice of Ireland. He was educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Dublin. He received the 1st Honourman and Prizeman Classics and Modern Languages and B.A. in 1881. He was appointed, after competitive examination, to Hong Kong Cadetship in 1881. He became the Assistant Protector of Chinese in 1886 and private secretary to Governor Sir Wm. Des Voeux, to Acting Governor Sir F. Fleming, and to Acting Governor Lieut. Gen. Digby Barker in 1889-1891. He held the office of Assistant Col. Sec. in 1891 and Acting Col.Treasurer in 1892. He was made a member of the Legislative Council in 1895. He was raised to Captain Superintendent of Police in 1893-1902, and Superintendent Victoria Gaol and Fire Brigade for Hong Kong in 1896-1902. He held the position of Colonial Secretary for Hong Kong in 1902-1910. He administered the Government of Hong-Kong during 1903, 1904, 1906-1907, and 1910. He was appointed Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner Western Pacific in 1910-1912, as well as Governor of Hong Kong in 1912-1919.

He published Guide to Cantonese Colloquial and Yachting In Hong-Kong.

He was created a K.St.J. and J.P. of Suffolk. He was created C.M.G. in 1895, and G.C.M.G. in 1919.

May died on 6 February 1922.

He married Helena May in 1891, daughter of late Gen. Sir Gen. Digby Barker, G.C.B. They four daughters.

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