Lawrence, John

Lawrence, John (Laird Mair)

 later Baron Lawrence (of the Punjab and of Grately)

(born March 4, 1811, Richmond, Yorkshire, Eng.—died June 27, 1879, London) British viceroy and governor-general of India (1864–69). He worked in Delhi as an assistant judge, magistrate, and tax collector. After the First Sikh War (1845–46) he was made commissioner of the newly annexed district of Jullundur, where he subdued the hill chiefs, established courts and police posts, and curbed female infanticide and suttee. On the Punjab board of administration he abolished internal duties, introduced a uniform currency, and encouraged road and canal construction. As viceroy and governor-general from 1864, he promoted increased educational opportunities for Indians but resisted their appointment to high civil-service posts. He avoided entanglements in the affairs of Arabia, the Persian Gulf, and Afghanistan.