Cecil Clementi Smith

Cecil Clementi Smith, Sir, (b. 1860 - d. 1916) was the Governor of the Straits Settlements and High Commissioner in the period 1887 to 1893. A forceful and efficient administrator, he paralysed the power of Secret Societies which were a menace in Singapore then. In 1889, he established the Queen's Scholarships in Singapore to assist and fund bright local students to further their studies in British universities. When he left Singapore in 1893, he was much loved by the local people who petitioned for the extension of his leadership in office. There were two men known as Sir Cecil Clementi, both having been colonial governors in Singapore. Sir Cecil Clementi, who served between 1929 to 1934, was Sir Cecil Clementi Smith's nephew.

Career
Cecil Clementi Smith joined the colonial service as a Hong Kong cadet in 1864 where he gained knowledge of the Chinese culture and came to be recognised as an accomplished scholar of the Chinese culture. He spent most of his career in the East, including two years in Ceylon, and served from 1878 to 1893 in Singapore as Colonial Secretary (1878-1885), Acting Governor and finally as Governor (1889-1893). He served as Commander-in-Chief of the Straits Settlements and Consul-General and High Commissioner for Borneo and Sarawak. He was also the Honorary Colonel of the Singapore Volunteer Artillery. In his initial years in Singapore, he understudied Frederick Weld, the Governor then.

Contributions
He was determined to get rid of the Secret Societies which prevailed in his days, achieving this through enforcing laws in 1890, setting up the first Societies Ordinance and establishing the Chinese Advisory Board.

Clementi Smith initiated and established the Queen's Scholarships in 1889, which enabled outstanding local students to proceed to British universities, with expenses funded by the British Government. Over the years Queen's scholars returned to Singapore as doctors, lawyers, and teachers. The first two recipients were Dr Lim Boon Keng and Sir Song Ong Siang.

When he left Singapore in 1893, Sir Cecil Clementi Smith was well-liked and widely admired among all communities, especially the Chinese people who petitioned for his continued leadership as Governor for another term. The Chinese, in recognition for his contributions, founded a Sir Cecil Clementi Smith Scholarship for bright Chinese students. Clementi New Town and Clementi Road are named after him.

Timeline
Jul 1878 : Colonial Secretary
18?8 : British Commissioner at Manila
March 1884 - November 1885 : Administered the Government
October 1887 - November 1893: Governor of Straits Settlements

Family
Wife: Lady Cecil Clementi, often stricken with ill-health, returned to England for recuperation.
Children: Two daughters.



Author
Vernon Cornelius



References    
Tate, D. J. M. (1988). A portrait gallery of nineteenth century Singapore (p. 12). Singapore: Antiques of the Orient.
(Call no.: RSING 959.5702 TAT)

Turnbull, C. M. (1989). A History of Singapore: 1819-1988 (pp. 87-88, 101, 116). Singapore: Oxford University Press.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 TUR)

Singapore days of old: A special commemorative history of Singapore published on the 10th anniversary of Singapore Tatler (pp. 48-49). Hong Kong: Illustrated Magazine.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 SIN)

Farewell public Banquet to H. E. the Governor [Microfilm: NL 3153]. (1893, August 24). Singapore Free Press, p. 2. 

His Excellency Sir Cecil Clementi Smith. (1893, August 30). The Straits Times, p. 3.


Further Readings
The departure of H. E. the Governor. (1893, August 30). The Straits Times, p. 3. 

The farewell banquet to H. E. the Governor. (1893, August 24). The Straits Times, pp. 2-3.


List of Images
Farewell public Banquet to H. E. the Governor [Microfilm: NL 3153]. (1893, August 24). Singapore Free Press, p. 2.
A profile drawing of Sir Cecil Clementi in full garb.

Tate, D. J. M. (1988). A portrait gallery of nineteenth century Singapore (p. 12). Singapore: Antiques of the Orient.
(Call no.: RSING 959.5702 TAT)
A drawing of Sir Cecil Clementi. 



The information in this article is valid as at 1999 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Personalities>>Biographies>>Colonial Administrators
Colonial administrators--Singapore
Law and government>>Public administration

Librarian Recommendations
>> Sir Cecil Clementi
>> Clementi New Town
>> Clementi Road


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