List of East India Company directors

The East India Company controlled most of the subcontinent of India. No other company in history has ever governed so many people. With the exception of China, the E.I.C. controlled a larger population at the time than any government of any country in the world.

The following list of East India Company directors is taken from the “Alphabetical List of Directors of the East India Company from 1758 to 1858”, compiled by C.H. & D. Philips and published in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, October 1941. This list has been compiled from MSS. records, in particular the Court Minutes and Home Miscellaneous Series, volume 764, at the India Office, amplified and checked by information mainly taken from the Annual Register, the Asiatic Annual."

How to read the list

"The figures indicate the year of election to the Court of Directors and, unless the name of the month in any particular year is given, the month is assumed to be that of April. It is important to remember that throughout the period the year of office was from April to the following April. When a span of years is shown the election dates given are inclusive.”

“An asterisk placed after a year indicates that the director concerned was elected deputy chairman for that year, two asterisks, that he was chosen chairman, three, that he was first elected deputy and later in the same year appointed chairman. The abbreviations d., disq., respectively stand for died, disqualified.

List of Directors

Directors of the British East India Company 1785-1885

Director’s name!	Dates of directorship	died
Patrick Alexander Vans Agnew	, 35–8, 40–2
Du Pre Alexander, 2nd Earl of Caledon	–2, 24–7, 29–32, 34–7, 39
Alexander, Henry	Mar 1826–26, 28–31, 33–6, 38–41, 43–6, 48–51, 53
Allan, Alexander	1814–17, 19–20
Amyand, George	1760, 63
Astell, William Thornton	Jan 1800–1800, 02–05, 07–09*–10**, 12–15, 17–20, 22–3*–4**–5, 27–8**–9*30**, 32–5, 37–40, 42–5
Astell, John Harvey	Jul 1851, 52–8.
Atkinson, Richard	Jan 1784–84–5
Baillie, John	May 1823, 25–8, 30–3
Bannerman, John Alexander	1808–11, 13–16, disq. Mar 1817.
Baring, Francis	1779–82, 84–7, 89–91*–2**, 94–7,99–1802,04–07, 09–10
Baron, Christopher	1759, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67
Barrington, Fitzwilliam	1759, 61, 62, 65, 66, 67.
Barwell, William	1758,59,61,62,63,64,66.
Bayley, William Butterworth	July 1833–5 37–9*–40** 42–5 47–50, 52–8
Bebb, John	Nov 1804, 06–09, 11–14, 16*–17**–19, 21–4, 26–9, disq. Apr 1830.
Becher, Richard	1775–8, 80, disq. Mar 1781.
Bensley, William	Oct 1781–4, 86–9, 91–4, 96–9, 1801–4, 06–09
Boddam, Charles	1769, 72, 73, 74–5, 77–80, 82–4
Boehm, Edmund	1784–7
Booth, Benjamin	1767, 68, 69, 70, 72, 73, 75–8, 80–3
Bosanquet, Jacob (1)	1759
Bosanquet, Jacob (2)	Aug 1782–3, 85–8, 90–3, 95–7*–8**, 1800–02*–03**, 05–08, 10*–11 **–12**–13, 15–18, 20–3, 25–6, disq. Mar 1827.
Bosanquet, Richard	1768, 69, 71, 72.
Boulton, Henry Crabb	1758, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64*, 65**, 67, 68**, 69, 70, 72, 73**
Boyd, John	1758, 59*, 60, 61, 63, 64
Browne, John	1758, 59, 60, 62, 63.
Bryant, Jeremiah	Feb 1841–41, 43–5
Burgess, John Smith	1773, 74, 76–9, 81–4, 86–9, 91**–2*–4, 96–9, 1801–3
Burrow, Christopher	1758, 60, 61.
Burrow, Robert	1762, 63, 64.
Campbell, Archibald M.	Feb 1796–96
Campbell, Robert	Jul 1817, 19–22, 24–7, 29–30*–31**–32, 34–7, 39–42, 44–7, 49–52
Carnac, James Rivett	Mar 1827–27–28,30–3,35*–6**–7**–8, disq. Dec 1838.
Caulfield, James	1848–51
Chambers, Charles (1)	1763, 64, 65, 66, 68.
Chambers, Charles (2)	1770, 73.
Cheap, Thomas	Aug, 1777, 78, 80–3, 85–8, 90–3*.
Clarke, William Stanley	Mar 1815–15–16, 18–21, 23–6 28–31 33–4*–5**–6, 38–41, 43
Clerk, Robert	Jul 1812, 14–15
Cockburn, James	1767, 68, 70, 71.
Colebrooke, George	1767, 68*, 69**, 70**, 72**.
Cotton, John	Apr 1833–33–34, 36–9, 41– 2*–3**–4, 46–9, 51–3
Cotton, Joseph	1795–8, 1800–3, 05–08, 10–13, 15–18,20–3, disq. May 1823.
Creed, James .	1758, 61
Creswicke, Joseph	1765,66,67, 68
Cruttenden, Edward Holden	1765, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71
Cuming, George	1764,65,66,67,69,70,71,72, Dec 73, 74–7, 79–82, 85–7
Sir Frederick Currie, 1st Baronet	1854–6, 57*, 58**
Cust, Peregrine	1767,68,69*.
Cutts, Charles	1758,59,60,61,63,64,65,66.
Daniell, James	Oct 1809, 11–14, 16–19, 21–4, resigned Apr 1825.
Darell, Lionel	1780–3 85–8 90–3 95–8 1800–3
Davis, Samuel	Oct 1810–12, 14–17, 19
Dempster, George	1769, 72
Dent, William	Jan 1851–51–53
Dethick, Thomas	1772
Devaynes, William	1770,71, 72, 73, 74–5, 77*–89*–80**, 82–3*–4*–5**, 878*–9**–90*, 92–3**–4**–5, 97–1800, 02–05, defeated Apr 1807.
Dorrien, John	1758,60,61,62*,63**.
Drake, Roger	1758*
Ducane, Peter	1764,66,67,68,69,71,72,73.
Dudley, George	1758, 59, 60, 62, 64, 65*, 66**,67,70,71*
Dupre, Josias	1765, 66
Eastwick, William Joseph	Jun 1847, 49–52, 54–8*.
Edmonstone, Neil Benjamin	Oct 1820–2, 24–7, 29–32, 34–7, 39–41
Ellice, Russell	Feb 1831, 32–5, 37–40, 42–5, 47–50, 52*–3**, 54–8.
Elphinstone, William Fullarton	Dec 1786–9, 91–4, 96–9, 1801–04**,06**–09,11–13*–14**, 16–19, 21–4, resigned Apr 1825.
Ewer, Walter	Dec 1790, 92–4, disq. Apr 1795.
Farquhar, Robert Townsend	Mar 1826–26–28
Fergusson, Robert Cutlar	Feb 1830–30–31, 33–5, disq. Jun 1835.
Fitzhugh, Thomas	Aug 1785, 87–90, 92–5, 97–9
Fletcher, Henry	1769, 71, 72, 73, 74–5, 77––80, 82***–83**, resigned Nov 1783.
Forbes, John	Apr 1830, 31–4, 36–9
Fraser, Simon	Feb 1791–91, 93–6, 98–1801,03–06	.
Freeman, William George	1769, 74–6, 78–81.
Galloway, Archibald	Sep 1840, 42–5, 47–8*– 49**–50, d. Apr 1850.
Gildart, Richard	1759
Godfrey, Peter	1759**,60.
Gough, Charles	1759, 60, 61, 62, d. Feb 1774.
Grant, Charles	May 1794–5,97–1800,02–04*05**, 07*–08*–09**–10,1215**,17–20,22–3, d. Oct 1823.
Gregory, Robert	1769,70,71,72,75–8,80–2**, resigned Aug 1782.
Hadley, Henry	1758, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65.
Hall, Richard	1773, 74, 76–9, 81–4, 86, d. Dec 1786.
Harrison, John	1758, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69, 70, 71, 73*, 74*–5**7, 79–82.
Harrison, Samuel	1759,61,62, d. May 1765.
Hawkesworth, John	1773, d. Nov 1773.
Hogg, James Weir	Sep 1839–42, 44–5*– 6* *–7 , 49–50*–1 *–2**, 54–8, d. May 1876.
Hudleston, John	1803–6, 08–11, 13–16, 18–21, 23–5, disq. Mar 1826.
Hunter, John	1781–4, 86–9, 91–4*, 96–9, 1801–2, d. December 1802.
Hurlock, Joseph	1768, 70, 71, 72, 73.
Inglis, Hugh	1784–7,89–92,94–6*–7**,99*1800**–02, 04–07, 09–11*12*, d. 1812.
Inglis, John	May 1803–04, 06–09, 11–14*, 16––19,21–2, d. Aug 1822.
Irwin, James	Apr 1795, 97, d. Mar 1798.
Jackson, John	1807–10,12–15, 17–20, d. Jun 1820.
Jackson, William Adair	Jan 1803–03–04, d. Nov., 1804.
James, William	1768, 69, 70, 71, 73, 74–6*, 78*–9**––80–1*,83, d. Dec 1783.
Jenkins, Richard	Jun 1832–5, 37–8*–9**–40, 42–5,47–50,52–3, d. Dec 1853.
Johnstone, George	Jan 1784–84–85, d. 1787.
Jones, Robert	1765, 66, 67, 68, d. Feb 1774.
Lascelles, Peter	1770, 72, 73, 74–5.
Lemesurier, Paul	1784–7, 89–92, 94–7, 99–1802, 04–05, d. Dec 1805.
Lindsay, Hugh	1814–17, 19–22, 24–6*–7**, 29–32, 34–7, 39–42, 44, d. May 1844.
Loch, John	1821–4, 26–8*–9**, 31–3**–4, 36*–9, 41–4, 46–9, 51–3.
Lumsden, John	Jan 1817, 18, d. Dec 1818.
Lushington, James Law	Jul 1827–8, 30–3, 35–7*–8**, 40–1*–2**–3,45–7*–8**,503, d. May 1859.
Lushington, Stephen	1782–5, 87–9*–90**, 92–5**, 97–8*–9**–1800, 02–05, d. Jan 1807.
Lyall, George	1830–3,35–8,40*–1**–3,45–8, 50, disq. Jan 1851.
Macnaghten, Elliot	Jun 1842–3, 45–8, 50–3, 54*, 55**, 56–8.
Mangles, Ross Donnelly	1847–50, 52–3, 54, 55, 56*, 57**, 58, d. Aug 1877.
Manship, John	1758, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67, 69, 70, 71, 72, Dec 73, 74–7, 79–82, 84–7, 89–92, 94–7, 99–1802, 04–07, 09, disq. May 1809.
Marjoribanks, Campbell	1807–10, 12–15, 17–18*–19**20, 22–4*–5**, 27–30,32*3**–5, 37–40, d. Sep 1840.
Marjoribanks, Dudley Coutts	1853
Masterman, John	Nov 1823–5,27–30,325, 37–40, 42–5, 47–50, 52–3.
Melville, William Henry Leslie	Jul 1845–6, 48–51, 53–5.
Metcalfe, Thomas Theophilus	1789–92,94–7,99–1802,04–07, 09–12, d. Nov 1813.
Michie, John	1770, 71, 72, 73, 74–5, 77–80, 83–6**, 88*, d. Nov 1788.
Millet, George	Jan 1806–06–07, 09–12, d. 1812.
Mills, Charles (1)	Aug 1785–6, 88–91, 93–6, 98–1801 ***, 03–06, 08–11, 13–14, disq. Mar 1815.
Mills, Charles (2)	Aug 1822–4, 26–9, 31–4, 36–9, 41–4, 46–9, 51–8, d. 1872.
Mills, William	1778–81, 83–5, disq. Aug 1785.
Moffat, James	1774–7, 79–82, Dec 1784–5,87–90, d. Dec 1790.
Money, William	1789–92, 94–5, d. Feb 1796.
Money, William Taylor	Dec 1818, 20–3, 25, disq. Mar 1826.
Moore, James Arthur	May 1850, 52–3, d. Jul 1860.
Morris, John	1814–17, 19–22, 24–7, 29–32, 34–7, disq. Jan 1838.
Motteux, John	1769, 1784–6*–7**.
Muspratt, John Petty	Mar 1824, 25–8, 30–3, 35–8, 40–3, 45–8, 50–3, d. Aug 1855.
Newnham, Nathaniel	1758, d. Feb 1760.
Oliphant, James	Jan 1844–44–46, 48–51, 53*, 54**, 55–6, disq. Apr 1857.
Pardoe, John	1765, 66, 67, 68.
Parry, Edward	Apr 1797–97–98, 1800–03,0506*–07**–08**, 10–13, 1518, 20–3, 25–7, d. Jul 1827.
Parry, Richard	Aug 1815–17, d. Jul 1817.
Parry, Thomas	Oct 1781, 83–6, 88–91, 93–6, 98–1801, 03–06, d. 1806.
Pattison, James	Mar 1805, 06–09, 11–14, 16–17*–18**–19, 21*–2**–4, 26–7*–9, disq. Apr 1830.
Pattle, Thomas	1787–90, 92–4, disq. Apr 1795.
Peach, Samuel	1773, 74, 76–9, 81, disq. Oct 1781.
Peel, Laurence	1857, d. Jul 1884.
Phipps, Thomas	1758
Pigou, Frederick	1758, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69, 70, 71, 73, 74–7.
Plant, Henry	1758
Plowden, Richard Chicheley	1803–06, 08–11, 13–16, 18–21, 23–6, 28–9, d. Feb 1830.
Plowden, William Henry Chicheley	1841–4, 46–9, 51–3, d. Mar 1880.
Pollock, George	1854–5, 58, d. Oct 1872.
Prescott, Charles Elton	Jun 1820, 22–5, 27–30, 32, d. Jun 1832.
Prinsep, Henry Thoby	Jul 1850–1, 53–8, d. Feb 1878.
Purling, John	1763, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69, 70*, 71**, 77–80.
Raikes, George	Mar 1817, 18–21, 23–6, 28–31, 33–6, disq. Jul 1836.
Ravenshaw, John Goldsborough	Jul 1819–22, 24–7, 29–31*2**, 34–7, 39–40, d. Jun 1840.
Rawlinson, Henry Creswicke	1856–8, d. Mar 1895.
Raymond, John	1758, 59, 60, d. 1768.
Reid, Thomas	Nov 1803, 05–08, 10– 13,15*–16**–18,20*–1**–3, d. Mar 1824
Robarts, Abraham	Mar 1786–86, 88–91, 93–6, 98–1801, 03–06, 08–11, 1315, disq. Oct 1815.
Roberts, John	1764, 65, 66, 67, 69, 70, 71, 72, 75*–6**–8, Nov 80–3,85–8,90–3,95–8,1800–01*–02**–03*, 05–08,d. Feb 1810.
Robertson, Archibald	Jun 1841–2, 44–7, d. Jun 1847.
Robinson, George Abercrombie	1808–11,13–16,18–19*–20**–1, 23–5*–6**, 28, disq. Mar 1829.
Rooke, Giles	1758, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64.
Rous, Thomas	1758, 60*, 61*, 62**, 64**, 65, 66*, 67**, 70, 71, d. Jul 1771.
Rous, Thomas Bates	1773,74,76–9.
Rumbold, Thomas	1772, 75–6–7, res. Aug 1777.
Saunders, Thomas	1765,66,67*.
Savage, Henry	1758, 60, 61, 62, 64, 65, 66, 67, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74–7, 79–82.
Scott, David (of Dunninald)	Dec 1788–91, 93–5*–6**, 98–1800*–01 **, resigned Apr 1802.
Scott, David (2)	1814–17, 19–20, disq. Aug 1820.
Scrafton, Luke	1765, 66, 67, 68.
Seward, Richard	1759, 61, 62, 63.
Shank, Henry	1831–4,36–9,41–4,46–9,51–3.
Shepherd, John	Jun 1835–6, 38–41, 43*–4**– 6, 48–9*–50**–51**, 53–8, d. Jan 1859.
Smith, George	Apr 1795, 97–1800, 02–05*, 07–10, 12–15, 17–20, 22–5, 27–30, 32–3, disq. Jul 1833.
Smith, Martin Tucker	Dec 1838, 40–3, 45–8, 50–8, d. Oct 1880.
Smith, John (see Burgess, John Smith)
Smith, Joshua	1771,72, d. Jul 1775.
Smith, Nathaniel	1774–5, 77–80, 82*–3***–4**5*, 87*–8**–90, 92–4, d. May 1794.
Smith, Richard	1759, 60, 61, 62, 64.
Smith, Samuel	1783–6, disq. Jul 1786.
Snell, William	1762, 63, 64, 67, 68, 69.
Sparkes, Joseph	1773, 74, 76–9, 81–4, 86–9, d. Mar 1790.
Stables, John	1774–6, 78–81, disq. Oct 1781.
Steevens, George	1758, 59, 60, 62, 63, d. 1763.
Stephenson, John	1765,66,67,68, d. Apr 1794.
Stuart, James	1826–9, 31–2, d. Apr 1833.
Sulivan, Laurence	1758**, 60**, 61**, 63*, 64, 69, 71, 72*, 78–80*–81**, 83–5, d. Feb 1786.
Sykes, William Henry	Jul 1840–2, 44–7, 49–52, 54–5*–6**–8, d. Jun 1872.
Tatem, George	1772, 73, 74, 76–9, 81–4, Jul 1786, 88–91, 93–6, 98–1801, d. Jul 1807.
Taylor, John Bladen	Jan 1810, 11–14, 16–19, d. 1819.
Thelusson, George Woodford	Sep 1796–7, 99–1802, 04–07, d. Dec 1811.
Thornhill, John	Oct 1815–16, 18–21, 23–6, 28–31, 33–6, 38–40, d. Feb 1841.
Thornton, Robert	Dec 1787–8, 90–3, 95–8, 1800–03 05–0£ 10–13** disq. Apr 1814.
Thornton, William (1)	1759, 61, 62, 63, 64.
Thornton, William (2) (see Astell, William Thornton)
Toone, Sweny	Mar 1798–98–1800, 02–05, 07–10, 12–15, 17–20, 22–5, 27–30, disq. Feb 1831.
Townson, John	Mar 1781, 81–3, 85–8, 90–3, 95–6, d. Apr 1797.
Travers, John	1786–9, 91–4, 96–9, 1801–04, 06–09, d. Oct 1809.
Tucker, Henry St. George	1826–9,31–3*–4**,36–9,41–4, 46*–7**–9,51, d. Jun 1851.
Tullie, Timothy	1758, 60, 61, 62, 63, d. Aug 1765.
Twining, Richard	1810–13, 15–16, disq. Jan 1817.
Vansittart, Henry	1769, d. 1770.
Verelst, Harry	1771, d. 1785.
Vivian, John Hussey	1856–8.
Walton, Bourchier	1759,60,61,62, d. Jun 1779.
Ward, Edward	1762, d. Sep 1762.
Warden, Francis	Jul 1836, 38–41,43–6,48–50, disq. Jul 1850.
Warner, Richard	1760, 61, 62, 63.
Waters, Thomas	1759, 60, 61, 62, d. Sep 1764.
Webber, William	1762, 63, 64, 65, d. Apr 1779.
Wheler, Edward	1765, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, 72, 73**, 74**–6.
Whiteman, John Clarmont	May 1844–7, 49–52, d. Aug 1866.
Wier, Daniel	1768, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74–6.
Wigram, William	May 1809–12, 15–18, 20–2*3**,25–8,30–3*,35–8,40–3, 45–8, 50–3.
Wilkinson, Jacob	1782–3, resigned Nov 1783.
Williams, Stephen	Mar 1790,91–4, 96–9, 1801–4, d. Mar 1805.
Willock, Henry	Jan 1838, 39–42, 44*–5**–7, 49–52, 54–8.
Willoughby, John Pollard	1854–8, d. Sep 1866.
Wombwell, George	1766, 67, 68, 75–7**–8**, 80, d. Nov 1780.
Woodhouse, John	1768, 69, 70, 71, 73, 74–6, 78–81, Jan 1784–84–86, 88–90, disq. Feb 1791.
Williams, Robert	1809–12, d. Jul 1812.
Young, William	Mar 1829–29–31, 33–6, 3841, 43–6.

References

• C.H. & D. Philips, “Alphabetical List of Directors of the East India Company from 1758 to 1858”. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society October 1941