Harcourt Butler

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Sir
Spencer Harcourt Butler
GCSI, GCIE, KStJ, DL
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Governor of British Burma
In office
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Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byCharles Alexander Innes
Governor of United Provinces
In office
Template:En dash range
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byLudovic Charles Porter
Personal details
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Paddington, London, England
DiedScript error: No such module "person date".
Camden, London, England
SpouseScript error: No such module "Detect singular".Amelia Katherine Florence Wright
RelationsMontagu Butler (brother)
Geoffrey G. Butler (brother)
Henry Wright (brother-in-law)
ChildrenVictor Spencer Butler
Harrow School
Balliol College, Oxford
OccupationAdministrator (ICS)

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Sir Spencer Harcourt Butler GCSI, GCIE, DL, FRGS, FRSA, FRAS, FZS (1 August 1869 – 2 March 1938) was a highly-regarded officer of the Indian Civil Service who held prominent posts in the Imperial Govt of India, and in multiple provinces of British India during the British Raj.[1] He was widely considered to be one of the greatest administrators in India.[2] His services and advice were utilised by six Governors-General of India from Lord Curzon to Lord Irwin over several decades.[3]

He personally preferred to be addressed as "Harcourt Butler".[3] He served as Lieutenant-Governor, and later as the first Governor, in the two provinces of UPA&O, and British Burma.[4] He was also considered to be the possible Viceroy of India due to his exceptional record as an Indian administrator.[5]

Career

Sir Harcourt was educated at the Harrow School where his grandfather and uncle had been Head-masters for 50 years. He then joined the Balliol College at the University of Oxford (1886–90) for graduation.[6] Sir Harcourt cleared the Indian Civil Service examination of 1888, and finished the probation in 1890 by the time he graduated. He was commissioned as an ICS officer on 4 September 1890.[7][8]

Pre 1908

Sir Harcourt came to India on 29 October 1890, and was attached to the North-Western Provinces of British India. He was given his first appointment as the Assistant Magistrate & Collector of Allahabad, the provincial capital, on 4 November 1890. He remained there till March 1892 with a brief stint in Roorkee. On 16 March 1892, he was appointed the Junior Secretary in the provincial Board of Revenue. From 9 December 1893 to 8 December 1900, he worked as in-charge of settlement operations in the three Awadh districts of Sitapur, Hardoi, and Kheri.[7]

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Sir Spencer Harcourt Butler, c.1934

In December 1900, Sir Harcourt was appointed Secretary to the Indian Famine Commission. His report was considered excellent, and he was made the Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE) in 1901.[9] From May 1901 to March 1906, he held several posts for Govt of India and Govt of NWP&O. He was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Lucknow in March 1906, and remained till January 1908.[10] Additionally, he was made Secretary to the Industrial Committee (1907–08) where his note on technical education led the discussion in the consequential Industrial Conference at Naini Tal in August 1907.[11][12]

Post 1908

In January 1908, Lord Minto appointed Sir Harcourt as Foreign Secretary to the Govt of India, after briefly making him the District Magistrate of the then Indian capital Calcutta.[9][10] On 15 November 1910, he was appointed as the first Member for Education on the Viceroy's Executive Council.[13] These central imperial postings were a substantial status upgrade from the provincial ones. As India's capital was moved from Calcutta to New Delhi, his advice was sought by the Govt of India on planning the new city. He also became the first president of Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club, founded in 1913.[3][14]

Sir Harcourt became the Lieutenant Governor of British Burma on 29 October 1915, and then the Lt.Gov. of UPA&O on 15 September 1918.[10] He served as Governor of UPA&O from 3 January 1921 to 21 December 1922. He was then transferred to British Burma where he briefly served as Lt.Gov. before becoming the first Governor on 2 January 1923, and remaining till 20 December 1927. He retired from ICS in June 1928.[15] Lastly, he was appointed the Chairman of the Indian States Committee (1927–29) to advise on British relations with the princely states of India.[16]

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"Sir Harcourt Butler... his brilliant career of more than forty years as an Indian administrator... His promotion in the Indian civil service came quickly. [...] His reports are standard works on various aspects of Indian life."

— The New York Times, 3 March 1938[5]

Honours and legacy

Sir Harcourt was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Star of India (CSI) in 1909, then Knight Commander (KCSI) in 1911,[10] and promoted to Knight Grand Commander (GCSI) of the order in 1928.[15] He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE) in November 1901,[17] and was promoted to Knight Grand Commander (GCIE) of that order in 1923.[8]

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"Sir Harcourt Butler... was one of the greatest Indian administrators of his day. His official career was without parallel even in the wonderful records of the Indian Civil Service. It extended over nearly 40 years, and for fully half that time he held one great position after another..."

— The Times, 3 March 1938[18][1]

Sir Harcourt was a prominent advocate of industrial advancement and education in India, particularly scientific and technical education.[19] He supported and helped Banares Hindu University, University of Lucknow, Aligarh Muslim University, University of Rangoon, and University of Medicine 1, Yangon.[20][21][22] The Harcourt Butler Technological Institute in Kanpur was named after Sir Harcourt in 1926 as he was its relentless chief proponent. The Harcourt Butler School in New Delhi was also re-named after him in 1917.[23]

Personal life

Sir Harcourt was born on 1 August 1869 in Paddington, in central London, England, and died on 2 March 1938 in London at age 68.[24] He was the fourth child (and second son) of Spencer Perceval Butler, and Mary Butler (née Kendall). His parents had 13 children in total, 11 of whom survived childhood. His elder brother Sir Cyril Kendall Butler, KBE, JP, was Treasurer and Chairperson of Contemporary Art Society.[25][26] His younger brothers included the ICS officer Sir Montagu Butler and the British MP Sir G.G.G. Butler. His paternal grandfather, George Butler, and his paternal uncle, Henry Montagu Butler, were both headmasters of Harrow School.[6]

Family

Sir Harcourt married Florence Wright on 14 July 1894 in London.[27] She was the daughter of ICS officer Francis Nelson Wright. Sir Harcourt and Florence had an unhappy marriage, and she did not even attend his funeral.[28] They had one son, Victor Spencer Butler, born on 15 August 1900.[29]

Later years

Post retirement, Sir Harcourt involved himself with the Royal Central Asian Society, and became Vice-Chairman of its council in the first half of 1930s.[30] However, in his 60s he started suffering physical maladies, but still kept his mental faculties intact. He had recurring periods of illness, and ultimately succumbed to one such episode on 2 March 1938.[24][31]

Further reading

See also

References

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  1. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Sir Harcourt Butler". The Times. 3 March 1938. p. 16.
  2. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Obituary: Sir Harcourt Butler, G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E". Nature. 141 (3571): 635. 9 April 1938. doi:10.1038/141635a0. ISSN 0028-0836.
  3. ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Macnamara, Michael Fenwick (3 September 2024). "Sir Spencer Harcourt Butler – An Exceptional Governor of Early Twentieth Century British India – 1890 – 1928". peterlang.com. Peter Lang Group AG. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  4. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Sir Harcourt (Spencer) Butler". upgovernor.gov.in. Govt of UP. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  5. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."SIR HARCOURT BUTLER; Former Indian Administrator Dies in London at Age of 68". The New York Times. 3 March 1938. p. 21.
  6. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.S.C. Sen, ed. (1921). "(Introduction)". Speeches Made by His Excellency Sir Harcourt Butler. Allahabad: The Pioneer Press. Archived from the original on 13 March 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  7. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.E. Lawrence; et al., eds. (1 September 1898). History of Services of Gazetted Officers attached to the N.W. Provinces and Oudh — Corrected up to 1st July 1898 (Ninth (New Series) ed.). Allahabad: Govt Press, NWP&O. p. 146.
  8. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Record of Services (BUTLER, Sir Spencer Harcourt, G.C.I.E., K.C.S.I., I.C.S.)". The India Office List for 1927 (Forty First Publication ed.). London, UK: Harrison and Sons, Ltd. March 1927. p. 530. Archived from the original on 24 January 2017.
  9. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.D. Awasthi (1973). "1. Hereditary, Training and Assignments". Administrative History of Modern India (PDF). National Publishing House. pp. 1–12. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  10. ^ a b c d Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.J. Stuart-Milne; et al., eds. (23 August 1919). History of Services of Gazetted Officers (Civil Department) attached to the United Provinces — Corrected up to 1st July 1919 (Part I) (Thirtieth (New Series) ed.). Allahabad: Govt Press, United Provinces. pp. 45–47.
  11. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.S.C. Sen, ed. (1921). "Proceedings of Conference in Lucknow on 10 Nov 1919". Speeches Made by His Excellency Sir Harcourt Butler. Allahabad: The Pioneer Press. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original on 13 March 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  12. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Atul Chandra Chatterjee (31 October 1908). "Preface". Notes on the Industries of the United Provinces. Allahabad: F. Luker, Superintendent, Govt. Press. Archived from the original on 27 October 2008.
  13. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Riddick, John F. (2006). The History of British India: A Chronology. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 166. ISBN 978-0-313-32280-8.
  14. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."A fine balance of luxury and care". Hindustan Times. 21 July 2011. Archived from the original on 27 November 2011.
  15. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Record of Services (BUTLER, Sir Spencer Harcourt, G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., late I.C.S.)". The India Office List for 1930 (Forty-Fourth Publication ed.). London, UK: Harrison and Sons, Ltd. April 1930. p. 546. Archived from the original on 24 January 2017.
  16. ^ Script error: No such module "template wrapper". (Subscription, Wikipedia Library access or UK public library membership required.)
  17. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.[Script error: No such module "London Gazette util". "Supplement to the London Gazette of Friday, the 8th of November"]. The London Gazette (Script error: No such module "London Gazette util".). No. 27374. 9 November 1901. p. Script error: No such module "London Gazette util".. {{cite magazine}}: Check |url= value (help); More than one of |pages= and |page= specified (help)Script error: No such module "London Gazette util".
  18. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Darcy Moore, ed. (19 July 1925). "(Review) Sir Spencer Harcourt Butler: A Master Governor in British India (1890–1928)". darcymoore.net. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
  19. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."(Remarks by Babu Vikramajit Singh)". Proceedings of the Legislative Council of the United Provinces: Official Report - 2nd January to 12th March, 1921 (Report). Vol. I. 14 February 1921. p. 46.
  20. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.D. Awasthi (1973). "7. Growth of Education". Administrative History of Modern India (PDF). National Publishing House. pp. 90–117. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
  21. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."About: History". um1yangon.org. Interim University Council, University of Medicine 1, Yangon. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  22. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Maung Tha (23 November 2019). "Yangon University and Colonial Era Buildings". Myanmar Digital News. News and Periodicals Enterprise, Ministry of Information, Myanmar. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
  23. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Parvez Sultan (15 December 2017). "A century in life of a school: How Delhi's Harcourt Butler Senior Secondary migrated to Shimla in summers". Hindustan Times.
  24. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Richard Swetenham (ed.). "Sir Spencer Harcourt Butler, GCSI GCIE". Swetenham Family. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  25. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.William Roberts (1985). "Sir Cyril Butler". An English Cubist.
  26. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Sir Cyril Kendall Butler KBE (1864 - 1936)". contemporaryartsociety.org. Contemporary Art Society.
  27. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."24. Amelia Katherine Florence WRIGHT [99832], Fourth Generation, The Descendants of William Wright, c. 1830". airgale.com.au. Howard Ulph SMITH Genealogy Site. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017.
  28. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Gilmour, David (2018). The British in India: Three Centuries of Ambition and Experience. London: Penguin. p. 193. ISBN 978-0-2410-0453-1.
  29. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Gilmour, David (2006). The Ruling Caste. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. p. 281.
  30. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Officers and Council 1933-34" (PDF). Journal of the Royal Central Asian Society. 21 (1). The Royal Central Asian Society: 2. 1 January 1934. ISSN 0035-8789.
  31. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.John Prescott Hewett (1 April 1938). "Obituary: Sir Harcourt Butler". Journal of the Royal Central Asian Society. 25 (2). Routledge: 342–344. doi:10.1080/03068373808730858. ISSN 0035-8789.

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