This lecture will be conducted face-to-face and by Zoom

Many words have been used to describe John Pope Hennessy, the former governor of Hong Kong. “Controversial” is perhaps the briefest way to outline his character. Yet we may be guilty of ascribing modern ideas to our understanding of characters of the past. An Irish Catholic raised during the age of empire and rising nationalism, a devout Tory and Disraeli follower, a believer in both the benefits of empire and a patron of local talent in his postings, it is easy to view Pope Hennessy as a man of contradictions.

This volume traces Pope Hennessy’s history from his early beginnings in famine Ireland to his attempts to rise through the ranks in London. It goes on to cover his early postings to Labuan, West Africa, and, of course, Hong Kong, as well as his final days with his family. His actions and his personality are laid bare for readers to form their own opinions of one of Hong Kong’s most enigmatic governors.

The Speaker

P. Kevin MacKeown, a graduate of University College Dublin and the University of Durham, spent an academic career in research and teaching in physics for over thirty years at the University of Hong Kong, where he remains an honorary professor. In retirement, he has dabbled in colonial history and is the author of the award-winning Early China Coast Meteorology (University of Hong Kong Press, 2010).

Admission: Café 8 - $150 for members, $200 for guests /non-members, numbers are limited

No charge for alternative Zoom

Booking: Please email membership@royalasiaticsociety.org.hk in advance to register your attendance for either Café 8 or Zoom

(Note: This talk was originally scheduled one year ago for 15 August 2020 and had been deferred due to COVID-19 restrictions. It has now been finally rescheduled for 24 September 2021).