Ronald MacPherson

Colonel Ronald MacPherson, (14 July 1817 – 6 December 1869) was a soldier, architect and colonial administrator.[2] He is well known for the design of St Andrew Cathedral in Singapore.[2]

Ronald MacPherson
1st Colonial Secretary of Straits Settlements
In office 1 April 1867 – 6 December 1869
Preceded by	newly created
Succeeded by	James Wheeler Woodford Birch
6th Resident Councillors of Singapore
In office 8 October 1860[1] – 31 March 1867
Preceded by	Henry Somerset MacKenzie
Succeeded by	Post abolished
Personal details
Born	14 July 1817 Island of Skye, Scotland
Died	6 December 1869 (aged 52) Singapore
Resting place	Old Bukit Timah Cemetery, Singapore
Nationality	British
Occupation	Colonial administrator, Architect
Military service
Years of service	1854–1869
Rank	Colonel
Unit	Singapore Volunteer Rifle Corps

Education

MacPherson was educated in East India Company's military college in Addiscombe, Croydon between 1834 and 1836.[2][3][4]

Career

Military

MacPherson passed for the Engineers Corps, but as there were few nominations for Engineers Corps. Instead, he was gazetted as 2nd lieutenant in the Madras Artillery on the 10 June 1836 and arrived at India on the 10 November of the same year. In India he learned Arabic and Hindustani, studied engineering and helped to prepare the Madras Gunnery Tables, which European artillery companies consulted for many years.[4]

MacPherson served in the First Opium War of 1842 with the Madras Artillery and was later appointed staff officer to the Artillery in the Straits Settlements in 1843.[4][5][6]

Colonial Service

MacPherson started his career in Colonial Service as Executive Engineer and Superintendent of Convicts at Penang in 1849. He constructed many useful works such as Police Office and Court of Requests.[4]

MacPherson was appointed as the first Captain Commandant in 1854–1856 and later Honorary Colonel in 1864 of the Singapore Volunteer Rifle Corps.[2][5]

Between 1855 and 1857, MacPherson was also the Executive Engineer and Superintendent of Convicts in Singapore.[5]

MacPherson was appointed as the Resident Councillor of Malacca (1858), Penang and Singapore (1860)[1] till 1867 when the British government agreed to establish the Straits Settlements as a separate Crown Colony as the merchant community began agitating against British Indian rule. MacPherson continued as the 1st Colonial Secretary of the Straits Settlement till his death in 1869.[4][5]

St Andrew's Cathedral

During his tenure as Executive Engineer, William Butterworth (Governor of Straits Settlement) initiated MacPherson to design a new church (St Andrew Cathedral) in the Gothic Revival style to replace the demolished St Andrew's Church. The completion of the building was overseen by Major John F. A. McNair, John Bennett and W. D. Bayliss in 1861.[7][8]

A monument cross stands in the south lawn of St Andrew's Cathedral was dedicated to MacPherson.[8][9]

Aerial photograph of St Andrew Cathedral

Death

MacPherson died on 6 December 1869 and was buried in Old Bukit Timah Cemetery of Singapore.[5]

Legacy

Jalan Klapa was renamed as MacPherson Road in Singapore to commemorate Ronald MacPherson's achievements.[10]

References

1. "Notification 137". Straits Settlements Government Gazette 1860: 421. 12 October 1859.
2. "Macpherson, Ronald". nlb.gov.sg.
3. Vibart, H. M. (1894). Addiscombe: its heroes and men of note. Westminster: Archibald Constable. OL 23336661M.
4. "The Late Ronald MacPherson". The Straits Times. 15 January 1870. p. 1.
5. "MacPherson's design". Singapore Monitor - 2nd Edition. 20 July 1983. p. 19.
6. "Portrait of LTC Ronald MacPherson, Resident Councillor of Singapore". nlb.gov.sg.
7. "Saint Andrew's Cathedral". Roots. National Heritage Board.
8. "St Andrew Catheral". cathedral.org.sg.
9. "MacPherson Monument". New Nation. 22 October 1971. p. 9.
10. "Macpherson Road". Singapore Infopedia.