Gabriel Stokes

Sir Gabriel Stokes KCSI (7 July 1849 – 22 October 1920) was an Indian civil servant and British colonial administrator from Ireland. He acted as the Governor of Madras between February–March 1906.

Sir Gabriel Stokes KCSI
Governor of Madras (acting)
In office 15 February 1906 – 28 March 1906
Governor-General	Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto,
Preceded by	Oliver Russell, 2nd Baron Ampthill
Succeeded by	Arthur Lawley, 6th Baron Wenlock
Personal details
Born	7 July 1849 Ballyard, Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland
Died	22 October 1920 (aged 71) 72 Morehampton Road, Dublin, Ireland
Spouse(s)	Rebecca Horsfall (m. 1885; d. 1886) May Florence Fuller (m. 1889; d.1897)
Children	Hugh Gabriel Stokes Audrey Joan Stokes Terence Fuller Stokes Adrian Henry James Stokes Herbert Bland Stokes

Family

Gabriel Stokes was born on 7 July 1849 at Ballyard, Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland and was educated at Kilkenny College, Armagh and Trinity College, Dublin. The son of Henry Stokes, the county surveyor of Kerry, Stokes was born into a prominent family of academics which had been associated for Trinity College, Dublin for several generations. His grandfather was Whitley Stokes, a Regius Professor of Physic at Trinity College, Dublin, his great-grandfather Gabriel Stokes (1732-1806), a Professor of Mathematics at Trinity and his great-great-grandfather, also Gabriel Stokes, a Deputy Surveyor General of Ireland. His older brother Henry Stokes was also a prominent member of the Indian civil service. His son was the mathematician John Stokes.

Indian civil service

Stokes cleared the Indian civil service examinations and qualified for the civil service in 1871. In India, he served as a member of the executive council of the Governor of Madras from 1896 to 1906 and from 1906 to 1907.

Governor of Madras

Gabriel Stokes acted as the Governor of Madras from 15 February 1906 to 28 March 1906. During his tenure, the Asian Petroleum Company began its work in Madras.

Death

He died at his home, 72 Morehampton Road in Dublin on 22 October 1920.

Honours

In the 1909 New Year Honours, Stokes was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India for his services to the Crown.

References

• Kate Newmann. Gabriel Stokes (1849 - 1920): Colonial Governor. Dictionary of Ulster Biography. Ulster History Circle.