John Bowring

John Bowring (1792–1872) was a British politician, diplomat, economist, writer, and translator who governed Hong Kong from 1854 to 1859.

Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston: Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, was a British statesman who served as prime minister and foreign secretary. As foreign secretary, Palmerston appointed Bowring to Hong Kong’s governorship.
Second Opium War: The Second Opium War was an 1856–1860 conflict between Britain and France and the Qing dynasty. Bowring’s handling of the Arrow incident helped trigger the conflict.
Governor of Hong Kong: The Governor of Hong Kong was the chief executive of the British colony before its 1997 transfer to China. Bowring held this office from 1854 to 1859, exercising authority over the colony’s administration.
The Kingdom and People of Siam: The Kingdom and People of Siam is John Bowring’s two-volume account of Siam, published in 1857. Bowring drew on diplomatic experience to describe Siam during his Hong Kong governorship.
Lin Zexu: Lin Zexu was a Qing official who led the campaign against the opium trade in 1839. His suppression of opium offers a Chinese official’s opposing response to the trade Bowring defended.
Earl of Aberdeen: George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen, was a British prime minister and foreign secretary. Aberdeen’s government gave Bowring a diplomatic role in China before his governorship.
Arrow incident: The Arrow incident was an 1856 dispute over a Chinese-owned vessel registered in Hong Kong and its crew. Bowring’s government used the incident to justify British military action against Qing authorities.
Free trade: Free trade is an economic policy that removes or reduces barriers to international exchange. Bowring’s liberal economic views favored fewer restrictions on commerce.
Poetry of the Magyars: Poetry of the Magyars is John Bowring’s English anthology of Hungarian poetry, published in 1830. The anthology shows his work as a translator introducing national literature to English readers.
Qing dynasty: The Qing dynasty ruled China from 1644 to 1912. Its authorities disputed British claims of jurisdiction and treaty rights during Bowring’s tenure.

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