View source for Governor of Hong Kong

{{Short description|Head of the Hong Kong Government during British rule}}
{{For|the modern head of government of Hong Kong|Chief Executive of Hong Kong}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{stack begin}}
{{Infobox official post
|post = Governor
|body = Hong Kong
|insignia = Coat of arms of Hong Kong (1959–1997).svg
|insigniasize = 100px
|insigniacaption = [[Emblem of Hong Kong#Colonial arms|Coat of arms of Hong Kong (1959–1997)]]
|flag = Flag of the Governor of Hong Kong (1959–1997).svg
|flagsize = 125px
|flagcaption = [[Flag of Hong Kong (1959–1997)|Flag of the governor of Hong Kong (1959–1997)]]
|image = Official portrait of Lord Patten of Barnes crop 2.jpg
|imagesize = 200px
|imagecaption ='''Last in office'''<br>'''[[Chris Patten]]'''<br>9 July 1992 – 30 June 1997
|style = [[Excellency|His Excellency]]
|residence = [[Government House, Hong Kong]]
|appointer = [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|Monarch of the United Kingdom]]
|formation = {{start date and age|df=y|1843|6|26}}
|first = [[Henry Pottinger|Sir Henry Pottinger]]
|last = [[Chris Patten]]
|abolished = {{start date and age|df=y|1997|6|30}}
|salary = [[HK$]]3,036,000 annually {{small|(1997)}}
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
|order=
|showflag=y
|t=香港總督
|s=香港总督
|j=Hoeng1gong2 Zung2duk1
|y=Hēunggóng Júngdūk
|p=Xiānggǎng Zǒngdū
|w=Hsiang1-kang3 Tsung3-tu1
|altname=Abbreviation
|c2=港督
|y2=Góngdūk
|j2=Gong2duk1
|p2=Gǎngdū
|w2=Kang3-tu1
}}
{{stack end}}

The '''governor of Hong Kong''' was the representative of the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[The Crown|Crown]] in [[British Hong Kong|Hong Kong]] from 1843 to 1997. In this capacity, the governor was president of the [[Executive Council of Hong Kong|Executive Council]] and [[commander-in-chief]] of the [[British Forces Overseas Hong Kong]]. The governor's roles were defined in the [[Hong Kong Letters Patent]] and [[Hong Kong Royal Instructions|Royal Instructions]]. Upon the end of British rule and the [[handover of Hong Kong]] to [[China]] in 1997, most of the civil functions of this office went to the [[chief executive of Hong Kong]], and military functions went to the [[Hong Kong Garrison#Command|commander]] of the [[People's Liberation Army]] [[Hong Kong Garrison]].

== The governor ==
{{More citations needed section|date=May 2022}}
{{stack|[[File:HK History of HK Museum Uniform of HK Governor Edward Youde.JPG|thumb|upright|White tropical dress (colonial service, 1st class) of the [[Court uniform and dress in the United Kingdom#Foreign Service variants|Gubernatorial uniform]] which belonged to [[Edward Youde|Sir Edward Youde]], worn by him on the day he was sworn in as Governor and worn by him at numerous official ceremonies during his tenure, [[Hong Kong Museum of History]].
]]}}
Authorities and duties of the governor were defined in the [[Hong Kong Letters Patent]] and [[Hong Kong Royal Instructions|Royal Instructions]] in 1843. The governor, appointed by the [[British monarchy|British monarch]] (on the advice of the [[Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs|Foreign Secretary]]), exercised the executive branch of the [[government of Hong Kong]] throughout British sovereignty and, with the exception of a brief experiment after [[World War II]], no serious attempt was made to introduce representative government, until the final years of British rule.

The governor of Hong Kong chaired the colonial [[Cabinet (government)|cabinet]], the [[Executive Council of Hong Kong|Executive Council]] (ExCo), and, until 1993, was also the president of the [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]]. The governor appointed most, if not all, of the members of the colony's legislature (known colloquially as LegCo), which was largely an advisory body until the first indirect election to LegCo was held in 1985. Initially, both councils were dominated by British expatriates, but this progressively gave way to local [[Hong Kong people|Hong Kong Chinese]] appointees in later years. Historically, the governors of Hong Kong were either professional diplomats or senior colonial officials, except for the last governor, [[Chris Patten]], who was a career politician. 
In December 1996, the governor's salary was [[HK$]]3,036,000 per annum, tax-free. It was fixed at 125% of the [[Chief Secretary for Administration|chief secretary's]] salary.<ref>[http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.com/pa/cm199697/cmhansrd/vo961217/text/61217w03.htm House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 17 Dec 1996 (pt 3)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716220938/http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.com/pa/cm199697/cmhansrd/vo961217/text/61217w03.htm |date=16 July 2011 }}</ref>

In the absence of the governor, the chief secretary immediately became the acting governor of the colony. The chief secretaries were historically drawn from the [[Colonial Office]] or British military. One [[Royal Navy]] [[Vice Admiral (Royal Navy)|Vice Admiral]] served as administrator after [[World War II]]. Four [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] military officers (three [[Imperial Japanese Army|Army]] officers and one [[Imperial Japanese Navy|naval]] vice admiral) served as administrators during the [[Japanese occupation of Hong Kong]] in World War II.

== Transport ==
The governor of Hong Kong used a [[Daimler DS420]] for day to day transport and a [[Rolls-Royce Phantom V]] [[Landaulet (car)|landaulet]] for ceremonial occasions. Both vehicles were removed by the [[Royal Navy]] immediately following the handover to China on 1 July 1997.{{cn|date=May 2022}}

== Residences ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2022}}
[[File:HK_Government House 2005.jpg|thumb|right|[[Government House, Hong Kong|Government House]] was the official residence of the governor from 1855 to 1997.]]
* The first governor, [[Henry Pottinger|Sir Henry Pottinger]], 1st [[Baronet|Bt.]], resided at the site of the now [[Former French Mission Building]] from 1843 to 1846. It was used as the home of the Provisional Government after Japanese surrender from 1945 to 1946. The building now houses the [[Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal]]. His successor, [[John Francis Davis|Sir John Davis]], 1st [[Baronet|Bt.]], also lived there before moving to Caine Road.
* Since the 4th governor, [[Sir John Bowring]], the governors resided at [[Government House, Hong Kong|Government House]], excluding the period from 1941 to 1946.
* From 1941 to 1945 the [[Commandant]] of [[Japanese occupation of Hong Kong|Japanese Forces as Military Governor of Hong Kong]] occupied [[Flagstaff House, Hong Kong|Flagstaff House]] as their residence. The residence was returned to the Commander of British Forces following the end of World War II.

{{-}}

==List of governors==

===British administrators and governors (1841–1941)===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! rowspan=2| {{Abbr|No.|Number}}
! rowspan=2| Portrait
! rowspan=2| Name<br>{{small|(Birth–Death)}}
! colspan=3| Term of office
! rowspan=2| Origin
! rowspan=2| Background
! rowspan=2| Ref
|-
! style="width:120px;"| Took office
! style="width:120px;"| Left office
! style="width:80px;"| Duration
|-
| 
| [[File:Charles Elliot.png|100px]]
| [[Charles Elliot|Sir Charles Elliot]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|義律}}<br>{{small|(1801–1875)}}<br>''Administrator''
| 26 January 1841
| 12 August 1841
| {{Age in years and days|1841|1|26|1841|8|12}}
| [[Dresden]], [[Electorate of Saxony|Saxony]]
| Chief Superintendent of British Trade in China
| <ref name="list">''Civil and Miscellaneous Lists: Hong Kong Government''. Hong Kong: Government Printer. 1973. p. 101.</ref><ref name="endacott">[[George Beer Endacott|Endacott, G. B.]] (2005) [1962]. ''A Biographical Sketch-book of Early Hong Kong''. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press. pp. 56–58. {{ISBN|962-209-742-1}}.</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2| 
| rowspan=2| [[File:Alexander Robert Campbell Johnston.jpg|100px]]
| rowspan=2| [[Alexander Robert Johnston]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|莊士敦}}<br>{{small|(1812–1888)}}<br>''Acting Administrator''
| 22 June 1841
| 1 February 1842
| {{Age in years and days|1841|6|22|1842|2|1}}
| rowspan=2| [[Colombo]], [[British Ceylon|Ceylon]]
| rowspan=2| Deputy Superintendent of British Trade in China
| rowspan=2| <ref name="endacott" /><ref>''[https://books.google.com/books?id=eJYZAAAAYAAJ&pg=351 The Chinese Repository]''. Volume 10. Canton. 1841. pp. 351–352.</ref><ref name="TCR">''[https://books.google.com/books?id=NnIbAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA674 The Chinese Repository]''. Volume 11. Canton. 1842. pp. 674–676, 685.</ref>
|-
| 13 June 1842
| 2 December 1842
| {{Age in years and days|1842|6|13|1842|12|2}}
|-
| 
| [[File:HenryPottinger.jpg|100px]]
| [[Henry Pottinger|Sir Henry Pottinger]]<br> {{lang|yue-HK|砵甸乍}}<br>{{small|(1789–1856)}}<br>''Administrator''
| 12 August 1841
| 26 June 1843
| {{Age in years and days|1841|8|12|1843|6|26}}
| [[Ballymacarrett]], [[Ireland]]
| [[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant-General]], [[East India Company]]
| <ref name="list" /><ref>[[James William Norton-Kyshe|Norton-Kyshe, James William]] (1898). ''[https://archive.org/stream/historylawsandc00nortgoog#page/n47 The History of the Laws and Courts of Hong Kong]''. Volume 1. London: T. Fisher Unwin. p. 10.</ref>
|-
| '''1'''
| [[File:HenryPottinger.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[Henry Pottinger|Sir Henry Pottinger]]'''<br> {{lang|yue-HK|砵甸乍}}<br>{{small|(1789–1856)}}
| 26 June 1843
| 8 May 1844
| {{Age in years and days|1843|6|26|1844|5|8}}
| [[Ballymacarrett]], [[Ireland]]
| [[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant-General]]
| <ref name="gaz184306">{{cite journal |title=Proclamation|journal=The Friends of China Hong Kong Gazette Government Extraordinary|date=30 June 1853|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1843/728535.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| '''2'''
| [[File:Tcitp d073 John Francis Davis Bart.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[John Francis Davis|Sir John Francis Davis]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|戴維斯}}<br>{{small|(1795–1890)}}
| 8 May 1844
| 21 March 1848
| {{Age in years and days|1844|5|8|1848|3|18}}
| [[London]], [[England]]
| Chief Superintendent of British Trade in China
| <ref name="gaz184405">{{cite journal |title=Notice|journal=The Friends of China Hong Kong Gazette Government|date=11 May 1844|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1844/728603.pdf#page=2}}</ref>
|-
| '''3'''
| [[File:Sir Samuel George Bonham.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[George Bonham|Sir George Bonham]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|文咸}}<br>{{small|(1803–1863)}}
| 21 March 1848
| 13 April 1854
| {{Age in years and days|1848|3|21|1854|4|13}}
| [[London]], [[England]]
| [[East India Company]]
| <ref name="gaz184803">{{cite journal |title=Government Notifications|journal=The Friends of China Hong Kong Gazette|date=25 March 1854|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1848/729023.pdf#page=2}}</ref>
|-
| '''4'''
| [[File:Sir John Bowring by John King.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[John Bowring|Sir John Bowring]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|寶靈}}<br>{{small|(1792–1872)}}
| 13 April 1854
| 2 May 1859
| {{Age in years and days|1854|4|13|1859|5|2}}
| [[Exeter]], [[England]]
| [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP)
| <ref name="gaz185404">{{cite journal |title=Government Notification|journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette|date=13 April 1854|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1854/727536.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 
| [[File:Captain William Caine.jpg|100px]]
| [[William Caine (colonial administrator)|William Caine]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|堅}}<br>{{small|(1799–1871)}}<br>''Acting Governor''
| 2 May 1859
| 9 September 1859
| {{Age in years and days|1859|5|2|1859|9|9}}
| [[Maynooth]], [[Ireland]]
| [[Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong|Colonial Secretary]]
| <ref name="gaz185905">{{cite journal |title=Government Notification No. 46|journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette|date=2 May 1859|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1859/723750.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| '''5'''
| [[File:LordRosmead.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[Hercules Robinson, 1st Baron Rosmead|Sir Hercules Robinson]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|羅士敏}}<br>{{small|(1824–1897)}}
| 9 September 1859
| 15 March 1865
| {{Age in years and days|1859|9|9|1865|3|15}}
| [[Westmeath]], [[Ireland]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz185909">{{cite journal |title=Government Notification No. 77 of 1859 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette|date=9 September 1859|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1859/722451.pdf}}</ref><ref name="gaz18650315">{{cite journal |title=Government Notification No. 38 of 1865 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette|date=15 March 1865|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1865/714695.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 
| [[File:William Thomas MERCER.jpg|100px]]
| [[William Thomas Mercer]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|孖沙}}<br>{{small|(1821–1879)}}<br>''Acting Governor''
| 15 March 1865
| 12 March 1866
| {{Age in years and days|1865|3|15|1866|3|12}}
| [[London]], [[England]]
| [[Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong|Colonial Secretary]]
| <ref name="gaz18650315"/>
|-
| '''6'''
| [[File:Sir R. G. MacDonnell (Cropped).png|100px]]
| '''[[Richard Graves MacDonnell|Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|麥當奴}}<br>{{small|(1814–1881)}}
| 12 March 1866
| 11 April 1872
| {{Age in years and days|1866|3|12|1872|4|11}}
| [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref>{{cite news |title=Swearing in the Governor |url=https://mmis.hkpl.gov.hk///c/portal/cover?c=QF757YsWv595P2B4OmBy5yS%2FVCpTsYSs |access-date=25 June 2018 |work=Hong Kong Daily Press |date=13 March 1866 |page=2}}</ref><ref name="gaz18660312">{{cite journal |title=Government Notification No. 40 of 1866 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=12 March 1866|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1866/712856.pdf}}</ref><ref name="gaz18720411">{{cite journal |title=Government Notification No. 73 of 1877 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette|date=11 April 1872|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1872/699743.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 
| 
| [[Henry Wase Whitfield]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|威非路}}<br>{{small|(1814–1877)}}<br>''Lieutenant-Governor''
| 11 April 1872
| 16 April 1872
| {{Age in years and days|1872|4|11|1872|4|16}}
| [[England]]
| [[Commander British Forces in Hong Kong|Commander and lieutenant governor]]
| <ref name="gaz18720411"/>
|-
| '''7'''
| [[File:ArthurEdwardKennedy.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[Arthur Kennedy (governor)|Sir Arthur Kennedy]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|堅尼地}}<br>{{small|(1809–1883)}}
| 16 April 1872
| 1 March 1877
| {{Age in years and days|1872|4|16|1877|3|1}}
| [[County Down]], [[Ireland]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz18720416">{{cite journal |title=Government Notification No. 80 of 1877 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=16 April 1872|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1872/699797.pdf}}</ref><ref name="gaz187703">{{cite journal |title=Government Notification No. 47 of 1877 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=2 March 1877|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1877/689977.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 
| [[File:John Gardiner Austin.jpg|100px]]
| [[John Gardiner Austin]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|柯士甸}}<br>{{small|(1811–1900)}}<br>''Administrator''
| 1 March 1877
| 23 April 1877
| {{Age in years and days|1877|3|1|1877|4|23}}
| Lowlands Plantation, [[Demerara]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz187703"/>
|-
| '''8'''
| [[File:Portrait of John Pope Hennessy (cropped).jpg|100px]]
| '''[[John Pope Hennessy|Sir John Pope Hennessy]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|軒尼詩}}<br>{{small|(1834–1891)}}
| 23 April 1877
| 7 March 1882
| {{Age in years and days|1877|4|23|1882|3|7}}
| [[County Cork]], [[Ireland]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz187704">{{cite journal |title=Government Notification No. 103 of 1877 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=23 April 1877|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1877/690325.pdf}}</ref><ref name="gaz18820307">{{cite journal |title=Government Notification No. 95 of 1882 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=7 March 1882|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1882/678163.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 
| 
| [[Malcolm Struan Tonnochy]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|杜老誌}}<br>{{small|(1841–1882)}}<br>''Administrator''
| 7 March 1882
| 28 March 1882
| {{Age in years and days|1882|3|7|1882|3|28}}
| [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Bengal, India|Bengal]], [[British India|India]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz18820307"/>
|-
| 
| 
| [[William Henry Marsh|Sir William Henry Marsh]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|馬師}}<br>{{small|(1827–1906)}}<br>''Administrator''
| 28 March 1882
| 30 March 1883
| {{Age in years and days|1882|3|28|1883|3|30}}
| [[England]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz18820328">{{cite journal |title=Government Notification No. 147 of 1882 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=28 March 1882|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1882/678385.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| '''9'''
| [[File:George Bowen b.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[George Bowen|Sir George Bowen]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|寶雲}}<br>{{small|(1821–1899)}}
| 30 March 1883
| 21 December 1885
| {{Age in years and days|1883|3|30|1885|12|21}}
| [[County Donegal]], [[Ireland]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz188303">{{cite journal |title=Government Notification No. 118 of 1883 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=31 March 1883|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1883/675535.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 
| 
| [[William Henry Marsh|Sir William Henry Marsh]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|馬殊}}<br>{{small|(1827–1906)}}<br>''Officer Administrating the Government''
| 21 December 1885
| 25 April 1887
| {{Age in years and days|1885|12|21|1887|4|25}}
| [[England]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz188512">{{cite journal |title=Government Notification No. 198 of 1885 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=21 December 1885|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1885/672103.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 
| [[File:William Gordon Cameron.jpg|100px]]
| [[William Gordon Cameron]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|金馬倫}}<br>{{small|(1827–1913)}}<br>''Officer Administering the Government''
| 25 April 1887
| 6 October 1887
| {{Age in years and days|1887|4|25|1887|10|6}}
| [[France]]
| [[Commander British Forces in Hong Kong|Commander and lieutenant governor]], [[British Army]]
| <ref name="gaz188704">{{cite journal |title=Government Notification No. 165 of 1887 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=25 April 1887|url=https://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1887/664042.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| '''10'''
| [[File:Sir G. William Des Voeux (cropped).jpg|100px]]
| '''[[William Des Vœux|Sir William Des Vœux]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|德輔}}<br>{{small|(1834–1909)}}
| 6 October 1887
| 7 May 1891
| {{Age in years and days|1887|10|6|1891|5|7}}
| [[Baden-Baden]], [[German Confederation]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz188710">{{cite journal |title=Government Notification No. 403 of 1887 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=6 October 1887|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1887/665389.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 
| [[File:Sir George Digby BARKER (1833-1914) photo in 1906 Suffolk Leaders (cropped).jpg|100px]]
| [[George Digby Barker|Sir George Digby Barker]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|白加}}<br>{{small|(1833–1914)}}<br>''Officer Administering the Government''
| 7 May 1891
| 10 December 1891
| {{Age in years and days|1891|5|7|1891|12|10}}
| [[Clare, Suffolk|Clare]], [[England]]
| [[Commander British Forces in Hong Kong|Commander and lieutenant governor]], [[British Army]]
| <ref name="gaz189105">{{cite journal |title=Government Notification No. 215 of 1891 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=7 May 1891|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1891/652807.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| '''11'''
| [[File:Sir William Robinson.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[William Robinson (governor)|Sir William Robinson]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|羅便臣}}<br>{{small|(1836–1912)}}
| 10 December 1891
| 1 February 1898
| {{Age in years and days|1891|12|10|1898|2|1}}
| [[Wetherden]], [[England]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz189112">{{cite journal |title=Government Notification No. 515 of 1891 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=10 December 1891|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1891/654352.pdf}}</ref><ref name="gaz189802">{{cite journal |title=Government Notification No. 44 of 1898 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=25 February 1898|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1898/632011.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 
| 
| [[Wilsone Black|Sir Wilsone Black]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|布力}}<br>{{small|(1837–1909)}}<br>''Officer Administering the Government''
| 1 February 1898
| 25 November 1898
| {{Age in years and days|1898|2|1|1898|11|25}}
| [[Glasgow]]'', [[Scotland]]''
| [[Commander British Forces in Hong Kong|Commander and lieutenant governor]]
| <ref name="gaz189802"/>
|-
| '''12'''
| [[File:Henry Arthur Blake.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[Henry Arthur Blake|Sir Henry Arthur Blake]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|卜力}}<br>{{small|(1840–1918)}}
| 25 November 1898
| 21 November 1903
| {{Age in years and days|1898|11|25|1903|11|21}}
| [[Limerick]], [[Ireland]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz189811">{{cite journal |title=Government Notification No. 528 of 1898 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=25 November 1898|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1898/634546.pdf}}</ref><ref name="gaz190311">{{cite journal |title=No.788 of 1903 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=21 November 1903|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1903/548855.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 
| [[File:Francis Henry May.png|100px]]
| [[Francis Henry May|Sir Francis Henry May]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|梅含理}}<br>{{small|(1860–1922)}}<br>''Officer Administering the Government''
| 21 November 1903
| 29 July 1904
| {{Age in years and days|1903|11|21|1904|7|29}}
| [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]]
| [[Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong|Colonial Secretary]]
| <ref name="gaz190311"/>
|-
| '''13'''
| [[File:Sir Matthew Nathan.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[Matthew Nathan|Sir Matthew Nathan]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|彌敦}}<br>{{small|(1862–1939)}}
| 29 July 1904
| 20 April 1907
| {{Age in years and days|1904|7|29|1907|4|20}}
| [[London]], [[England]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz190407">{{cite journal |title=No.518 of 1904 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary |date=29 July 1904|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1904/487273.pdf}}</ref><ref name="gaz190704">{{cite journal |title=No.288 of 1907 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=20 April 1907|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1907/6448.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 
| [[File:Francis Henry May.png|100px]]
| [[Francis Henry May|Sir Francis Henry May]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|梅含理}}<br>{{small|(1860–1922)}}<br>''Officer Administering the Government''
| 20 April 1907
| 29 July 1907
| {{Age in years and days|1907|4|20|1907|7|29}}
| [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]]
| [[Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong|Colonial Secretary]]
| <ref name="gaz190704"/>
|-
| '''14'''
| [[File:Frederick Lugard, 1st Baron Lugard (1894, cropped).jpg|100px]]
| '''[[Frederick Lugard, 1st Baron Lugard|Sir Frederick Lugard]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|盧吉}}<br>{{small|(1858–1945)}}
| 29 July 1907
| 16 March 1912
| {{Age in years and days|1907|7|29|1912|3|16}}
| [[Madras]], [[British Raj|India]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz191203">{{cite journal |title=No.81 of 1912 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette|date=16 March 1912 |url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1912/25317.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 
| [[File:Sir Claud Severn.jpg|100px]]
| [[Claud Severn]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|施勳}}<br>{{small|(1869–1933)}}<br>''Officer Administering the Government''
| 16 March 1912
| 4 July 1912
| {{Age in years and days|1912|3|16|1912|7|4}}
| [[Adelaide]], [[South Australia]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz191203"/>
|-
| '''15'''
| [[File:Francis Henry May.png|100px]]
| '''[[Francis Henry May|Sir Francis Henry May]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|梅含理}}<br>{{small|(1860–1922)}}
| 4 July 1912
| 12 September 1918
| {{Age in years and days|1912|7|4|1918|9|12}}
| [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]]
| [[Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong|Colonial Secretary]]
| <ref name="gaz191207">{{cite journal |title=No.218 of 1912 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary |date=4 July 1912 |url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1912/25456.pdf}}</ref><ref name="gaz191207.2">{{cite journal |title=No.219 of 1912 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=4 July 1912|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1912/25457.pdf}}</ref><ref name="gaz1918">{{cite journal |title=No.346 of 1918 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=12 September 1918|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1918/56394.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 
| [[File:Sir Claud Severn.jpg|100px]] 
| [[Claud Severn]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|施勳}}<br>{{small|(1869–1933)}}<br>''Officer Administering the Government''
| 12 September 1918
| 30 September 1919
| {{Age in years and days|1918|9|12|1919|9|30}}
| [[Adelaide]], [[South Australia]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz1918"/>
|-
| '''16'''
| [[File:SirReginaldStubbs.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[Reginald Edward Stubbs|Sir Reginald Edward Stubbs]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|司徒拔}}<br>{{small|(1876–1947)}}
| 30 September 1919
| 31 October 1925
| {{Age in years and days|1919|9|30|1925|10|31}}
| [[Oxford]], [[England]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz1919">{{cite journal |title=No. 454 of 1919 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary |date=30 September 1919|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1919/61549.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Hong Kong Hansard |url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/h1925/2865.pdf |date=23 November 1925}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=No. 627 of 1925 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette |url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1925/93844.pdf |date=23 November 1925}}</ref>
|-
| '''17'''
| [[File:SIRCECILCLEMENTIHKU.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[Cecil Clementi|Sir Cecil Clementi]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|金文泰}}<br>{{small|(1875–1947)}}
| 1 November 1925
| 1 February 1930
| {{Age in years and days|1925|11|1|1930|2|1}}
| [[Cawnpore]], [[British Raj|India]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz192511">{{cite journal |title=No. 624 of 1925 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary |date=1 November 1925|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1925/93841.pdf}}</ref><ref name="gaz193002">{{cite journal |title=No. 70 of 19305 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=1 February 1930|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1930/571215.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 
| [[File:Sir Thomas Southorn.jpg|100px]]
| [[Thomas Southorn]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|修頓}}<br>{{small|(1879–1957)}}<br>''Officer Administering the Government''
| 1 February 1930
| 9 May 1930
| {{Age in years and days|1930|2|1|1930|5|9}}
| [[Durham, England|Durham]], [[England]]
| [[Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong|Colonial Secretary]]
| <ref name="gaz193002"/>
|-
| '''18'''
| [[File:SirWilliamPeel HK.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[William Peel (colonial administrator)|Sir William Peel]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|貝璐}}<br>{{small|(1875–1945)}}
| 9 May 1930
| 17 May 1935
| {{Age in years and days|1930|5|9|1935|5|17}}
| [[Hexham]], [[England]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz193005">{{cite journal |title=No. 275 of 1930 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette|date=9 May 1930|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1930/571896.pdf}}</ref><ref name="gaz193505">{{cite journal |title=No. 381 of 1935 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=17 May 1935|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1935/217098.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 
| [[File:Sir Thomas Southorn.jpg|100px]]
| [[Thomas Southorn]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|修頓}}<br>{{small|(1879–1957)}}<br>''Officer Administering the Government''
| 17 May 1935
| 13 September 1935
| {{Age in years and days|1935|5|17|1935|9|13}}
| [[Leamington Spa]], [[England]]
| [[Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong|Colonial Secretary]]
| <ref name="gaz193505"/><ref name="gaz193509">{{cite journal |title=No. 681 of 1935 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=13 September 1935|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1935/218037.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 
| [[File:Norman Lockhart Smith.jpg|100px]]
| [[Norman Lockhart Smith]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|史美}}<br>{{small|(1887–1968)}}<br>''Officer Administering the Government''
| 13 September 1935
| 1 November 1935
| {{Age in years and days|1935|9|13|1935|11|1}}
| [[Durham, England|Durham]], [[England]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz193509"/><ref name="gaz193511">{{cite journal |title=No. 836 of 1935 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=1 November 1935|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1935/218514.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 
| [[File:Sir Thomas Southorn.jpg|100px]]
| [[Thomas Southorn]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|修頓}}<br>{{small|(1879–1957)}}<br>''Officer Administering the Government''
|  1 November 1935
|  12 December 1935
| {{Age in years and days|1935|11|1|1935|12|12}}
| [[Leamington Spa]], [[England]]
| [[Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong|Colonial Secretary]]
| <ref name="gaz193511"/>
|-
| '''19'''
| [[File:Sir Andrew Caldecott.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[Andrew Caldecott|Sir Andrew Caldecott]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|郝德傑}}<br>{{small|(1884–1951)}}
| 12 December 1935
| 16 April 1937
| {{Age in years and days|1935|12|12|1937|4|16}}
| [[Kent]], [[England]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz193512">{{cite journal |title=No. 966 of 1935 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=12 December 1935|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1935/218916.pdf}}</ref><ref name="gaz193704">{{cite journal |title=No. 260 of 1937 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=16 April 1937|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1937/235154.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 
| [[File:Norman Lockhart Smith.jpg|100px]]
| [[Norman Lockhart Smith]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|史美}}<br>{{small|(1887–1968)}}<br>''Officer Administering the Government''
| 16 April 1937
| 28 October 1937
| {{Age in years and days|1937|4|16|1937|10|28}}
| [[Durham, England|Durham]], [[England]]
| [[Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong|Colonial Secretary]]
| <ref name="gaz193704"/>
|-
| '''20'''
| [[File:Sir Geoffry Northcote.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[Geoffry Northcote|Sir Geoffry Northcote]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|羅富國}}<br>{{small|(1881–1948)}}
| 28 October 1937
| 6 September 1941
| {{Age in years and days|1937|10|28|1941|9|6}}
| [[London]], [[England]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz193710">{{cite journal |title=No. 755 of 1937 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=28 October 1937|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1937/236837.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| 
| [[File:Norman Lockhart Smith.jpg|100px]]
| [[Norman Lockhart Smith]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|史美}}<br>{{small|(1887–1968)}}<br>''Officer Administering the Government''
| 6 September 1941
| 10 September 1941
| {{Age in years and days|1941|9|6|1941|9|10}}
| [[Durham, England|Durham]], [[England]]
| [[Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong|Colonial Secretary]]
| <ref name="gaz19450906">{{cite journal |title=No. 1079 of 1941 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=6 September 1941|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1941/305351.pdf}}</ref>
|-
| '''21'''
| [[File:Mark Young in 1930s.png|100px]]
| '''[[Mark Aitchison Young|Sir Mark Aitchison Young]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|楊慕琦}}<br>{{small|(1886–1974)}}
| 10 September 1941
| 25 December 1941
| {{Age in years and days|1941|9|10|1941|12|25}}
| [[British Raj|India]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| <ref name="gaz19450910">{{cite journal |title=No. 1085 of 1941 |journal=The Hong Kong Government Gazette Extraordinary|date=10 September 1941|url=http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkgro/view/g1941/305369.pdf}}</ref>
|}

===Japanese occupation (1941–1945)===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! rowspan=2| {{Abbr|No.|Number}}
! rowspan=2| Portrait
! rowspan=2| Name<br>{{small|(Birth–Death)}}
! colspan=3| Term of office
! rowspan=2| Origin
! rowspan=2| Background
! rowspan=2| Ref
|-
! style="width:120px;"| Took office
! style="width:120px;"| Left office
! style="width:80px;"| Duration
|-
| 
| [[File:Sakai Takashi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Takashi Sakai]]<br>{{lang|ja|酒井隆}}<br>{{small|(1887–1946)}}<br>''Administrator''
| rowspan=2| 25 December 1941
| rowspan=2| 20 February 1942
| rowspan=2| {{Age in years and days|1941|12|25|1942|2|20}}
| [[Kamo District, Hiroshima|Kamo]], [[Hiroshima Prefecture|Hiroshima]]
| [[Lieutenant general]]
| 
|-
| 
| [[File:Niimi Masaichi.jpg|100px]]
| [[Masaichi Niimi]]<br>{{lang|ja|新見政一}}<br>{{small|(1887–1993)}}<br>''Administrator''
| [[Hiroshima]], [[Hiroshima Prefecture|Hiroshima]]
| [[Vice admiral]]
| 
|-
| '''1'''
| [[File:Isogai Rensuke.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[Rensuke Isogai]]'''<br>{{lang|ja|磯谷廉介}}<br>{{small|(1886–1967)}}
| 20 February 1942 
| 24 December 1944
| {{Age in years and days|1942|2|20|1944|12|24}}
| [[Tanba, Hyōgo|Tanba]], [[Hyōgo Prefecture|Hyōgo]]
| [[Lieutenant general]]
| 
|-
| '''2'''
| [[File:Hisakazu.jpg|100px]] 
| '''[[Hisakazu Tanaka]]''' <br>{{lang|ja|田中久一}}<br>{{small|(1889–1947)}}
| 1 February 1945 
| 16 August 1945 
| {{Age in years and days|1945|2|1|1945|8|16}}
| [[Himeji]], [[Hyōgo Prefecture|Hyōgo]]
| [[Lieutenant general]]
| 
|}

===British administrators and governors (1945–1997)===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! rowspan=2| {{Abbr|No.|Number}}
! rowspan=2| Portrait
! rowspan=2| Name<br>{{small|(Birth–Death)}}
! colspan=3| Term of office
! rowspan=2| Origin
! rowspan=2| Background
! rowspan=2| Ref
|-
! style="width:120px;"| Took office
! style="width:120px;"| Left office
! style="width:80px;"| Duration
|-
| 
| [[File:Frank Gimson.jpg|100px]]
| [[Franklin Charles Gimson|Sir Franklin Charles Gimson]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|詹遜}}<br>{{small|(1890–1975)}}<br>''Provisional Governor''
| 28 August 1945
| 30 August 1945
| {{Age in years and days|1945|8|28|1945|8|30}}
| [[Leicestershire]], [[England]]
| [[Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong|Colonial Secretary]]
| 
|-
| 
| [[File:The Royal Navy during the Second World War A21407 (cropped).jpg|100px]]
| [[Cecil Harcourt|Sir Cecil Harcourt]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|夏愨}}<br>{{small|(1892–1959)}}<br>''Military administration''
| 1 September 1945
| 1 May 1946
| {{Age in years and days|1945|9|1|1946|5|1}}
| [[London]], [[England]]
| [[Admiral (Royal Navy)]]
| 
|-
| '''21'''
| [[File:Mark Young in 1930s.png|100px]]
| '''[[Mark Aitchison Young|Sir Mark Aitchison Young]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|楊慕琦}}<br>{{small|(1886–1974)}}
| 1 May 1946
| 17 May 1947
| {{Age in years and days|1946|5|1|1947|5|17}}
| [[India]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| 
|-
| 
| [[File:MacDougall 4.jpg|100px]]
| [[David Mercer MacDougall]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|麥道高}}<br>{{small|(1904–1991)}}<br>''Administrator''
| 17 May 1947
| 25 July 1947
| {{Age in years and days|1947|5|17|1947|7|25}}
| [[Perth, Scotland|Perth]], [[Scotland]]
| [[Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong|Colonial Secretary]]
| 
|-
| '''22'''
| 
| '''[[Alexander Grantham|Sir Alexander Grantham]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|葛量洪}}<br>{{small|(1899–1978)}}
| 25 July 1947
| 31 December 1957
| {{Age in years and days|1947|7|25|1957|12|31}}
| [[London]], [[England]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| 
|-
| 
| 
| [[Edgeworth Beresford David]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|戴維德}}<br>{{small|(1908–1965)}}<br>''Administrator''
| 31 December 1957
| 23 January 1958
| {{Age in years and days|1957|12|31|1958|1|23}}
| [[Dulwich]], [[England]]
| [[Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong|Colonial Secretary]]
| 
|-
| '''23'''
| [[File:Sir Robert Brown Black in 1963.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[Robert Black (colonial administrator)|Sir Robert Brown Black]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|柏立基}}<br>{{small|(1906–1999)}}
| 23 January 1958
| 31 March 1964
| {{Age in years and days|1958|1|23|1964|3|31}}
| [[Edinburgh]], [[Scotland]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| 
|-
| 
| 
| [[Edmund Brinsley Teesdale]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|戴斯德}}<br>{{small|(1915–1997)}}<br>''Administrator''
| 31 March 1964
| 14 April 1964
| {{Age in years and days|1964|3|31|1964|4|14}}
| [[Shanghai]], [[Republic of China|China]]
| [[Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong|Colonial Secretary]]
| 
|-
| '''24'''
| [[File:David Crosbie Trench.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[David Trench|Sir David C. C. Trench]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|戴麟趾}}<br>{{small|(1915–1988)}}
| 14 April 1964
| 19 October 1971
| {{Age in years and days|1964|4|14|1971|10|19}}
| [[Quetta]], [[British Raj|India]]
| [[Colonial administrator]]
| 
|-
| 
| 
| [[Hugh Norman-Walker|Sir Hugh Norman-Walker]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|羅樂民}}<br>{{small|(1916–1985)}}<br>''Administrator''
| 19 October 1971
| 19 November 1971
| {{Age in years and days|1971|10|19|1971|11|19}}
| [[London]], [[England]]
| [[Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong|Colonial Secretary]]
| 
|-
| '''25'''
| 
| '''[[Murray MacLehose, Baron MacLehose of Beoch|Sir Murray MacLehose]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|麥理浩}}<br>{{small|(1917–2000)}}
| 19 November 1971
| 8 May 1982
| {{Age in years and days|1971|11|19|1982|5|8}}
| [[Glasgow]], [[Scotland]]
| [[List of Ambassadors of the United Kingdom to Denmark|UK Ambassador to Denmark]]
| 
|-
| 
| 
| [[Philip Haddon-Cave|Sir Philip Haddon-Cave]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|夏鼎基}}<br>{{small|(1925–1999)}}<br>''Acting governor''
| 8 May 1982
| 20 May 1982
| {{Age in years and days|1982|5|8|1982|5|20}}
| [[Hobart]], [[Australia]]
| [[Chief Secretary of Hong Kong|Chief Secretary]]
| 
|-
| '''26'''
| 
| '''[[Edward Youde|Sir Edward Youde]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|尤德}}<br>{{small|(1924–1986)}}
| 20 May 1982
| 4 December 1986
| {{Age in years and days|1982|5|20|1986|12|4}}
| [[Penarth]], [[Wales]]
| [[List of Ambassadors of the United Kingdom to China|UK Ambassador to China]]
| 
|-
| 
| 
| [[David Akers-Jones|Sir David Akers-Jones]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|鍾逸傑}}<br>{{small|(1927–2019)}}<br>''Acting governor''
| 4 December 1986
| 9 April 1987
| {{Age in years and days|1986|12|4|1987|4|9}}
| [[Sussex]], [[England]]
| [[Chief Secretary of Hong Kong|Chief Secretary]]
| 
|-
| '''27'''
| [[File:Official portrait of Lord Wilson of Tillyorn crop 2.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[David Wilson, Baron Wilson of Tillyorn|Sir David Wilson]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|衛奕信}}<br>{{small|(born 1935)}}
| 9 April 1987
| 3 July 1992
| {{Age in years and days|1987|4|9|1992|7|3}}
| [[Clackmannanshire]], [[Scotland]]
| [[Diplomat]]
| 
|-
| 
| 
| [[David Ford (civil servant)|Sir David Ford]]<br>{{lang|yue-HK|霍德}}<br>{{small|(1935–2017)}}<br>''Acting governor''
| 3 July 1992
| 9 July 1992
| {{Age in years and days|1992|7|3|1992|7|9}}
| [[England]]
| [[Chief Secretary of Hong Kong|Chief Secretary]]
| 
|-
| '''28'''
| [[File:Official portrait of Lord Patten of Barnes crop 2.jpg|100px]]
| '''[[Chris Patten]]'''<br>{{lang|yue-HK|彭定康}}<br>{{small|(born 1944)}}
| 9 July 1992
| 30 June 1997
| {{Age in years and days|1992|7|9|1997|6|30}}
| [[Lancashire]], [[England]]
| [[Chairman of the Conservative Party|Chairman of Conservative Party]]
| 
|}

==Timeline==
<div style="overflow:auto">
{{#tag:timeline|
Define $width = 1000 # 4 pixels per year ($end - $start) × 4
Define $warning = 880 # $width - 120
Define $height = 600 # 43 x 20 + 160

Define $start = 1787
Define $end = 2027
Define $now = {{CURRENTYEAR}}

ImageSize  = width:$width height:$height
PlotArea   = right:10 left:1 bottom:80 top:60
Period     = from:$start till:$end
TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:1

Colors =
     id:bg              value:white
     id:lightline       value:rgb(0.9, 0.9, 0.9)
     id:lighttext       value:rgb(0.5, 0.5, 0.5)
     id:LIFESPAN        value:rgb(0.88, 0.90, 0.70) Legend: Lifespan
     id:PRES_NON        value:rgb(0.7, 0.7, 0.7) Legend: Nonpartisan
     id:NAME            value:rgb(0.15, 0.13, 0.05)
     id:TODAY           value:lightpurple

BackgroundColors = canvas:bg
ScaleMinor = gridcolor:lightline unit:year increment:1 start:$start
ScaleMajor = gridcolor:lighttext unit:year increment:10 start:1790

Define $dy = -5 # shift text to button side of bar

LineData=
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  bar:1 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1789 till:1843 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Henry Pottingner]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1843 till:1844
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1844 till:1856

  bar:2 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:left fontsize:M
    from:1795 till:1844 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[John Francis Davis]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1844 till:1848
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1848 till:1890

  bar:3 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1803 till:1848 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[George Bonham]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1848 till:1854
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1854 till:1863

  bar:4 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1792 till:1854 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[John Bowring]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1854 till:1859
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1859 till:1872

  bar:5 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1824 till:1859 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Hercules Robinson]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1859 till:1865
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1865 till:1897

  bar:6 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1814 till:1866 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Richard Graves MacDonnell]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1866 till:1872
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1872 till:1881

  bar:7 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1809 till:1872 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Arthur Kennedy (governor)|Arthur Kennedy]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1872 till:1877
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1877 till:1883

  bar:8 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1834 till:1877 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[John Pope Hennessy]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1877 till:1882
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1882 till:1891

  bar:9 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1821 till:1883 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[George Bowen]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1883 till:1885
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1885 till:1899

  bar:10 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1834 till:1887 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[William Des Vœux]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1887 till:1891
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1891 till:1909

  bar:11 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1836 till:1891 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[William Robinson (governor)|William Robinson]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1891 till:1898
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1898 till:1912

  bar:12 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1840 till:1898 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Henry Arthur Blake]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1898 till:1903
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1903 till:1918

  bar:13 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1862 till:1904 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Matthew Nathan]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1904 till:1907
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1907 till:1939

  bar:14 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1858 till:1907 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Frederick Lugard]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1907 till:1912
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1912 till:1945

  bar:15 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1860 till:1912 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Francis Henry May]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1912 till:1918
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1918 till:1922

  bar:16 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1876 till:1919 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Reginald Edward Stubbs]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1919 till:1925
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1925 till:1947

  bar:17 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1875 till:1925 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Cecil Clementi]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1925 till:1930
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1930 till:1947

  bar:18 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1875 till:1930 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[William Peel (colonial administrator)|William Peel]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1930 till:1935
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1935 till:1945

  bar:19 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1884 till:1935 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Andrew Caldecott]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1935 till:1937
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1937 till:1951

  bar:20 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1881 till:1937 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Geoffry Northcote]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1937 till:1941
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1941 till:1948

  bar:21 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1886 till:1941 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Mark Aitchison Young]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1941 till:1942
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1942 till:1946
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1946 till:1947
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1947 till:1974

  bar:22 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1899 till:1947 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Alexander Grantham]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1947 till:1957
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1957 till:1978

  bar:23 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1906 till:1958 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Robert Brown Black]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1958 till:1964
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1964 till:1999

  bar:24 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1915 till:1964 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[David Clive Trench]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1964 till:1971
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1971 till:1988

  bar:25 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1917 till:1971 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Murray MacLehose]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1971 till:1982
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1982 till:2000

  bar:26 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1924 till:1982 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Edward Youde]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1982 till:1986

  bar:27 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1935 till:1987 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[David Clive Wilson]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1987 till:1992
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1992 till:$now

  bar:28 width:14
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1944 till:1992 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Chris Patten]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1992 till:1997
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:1997 till:$now

TextData =
  fontsize:M
  textcolor:red
  pos:($warning,30)
  text:Updated {{CURRENTYEAR}}

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   pos:(280,$height)
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   textcolor:black
   text:"Lifespan of each governor"
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== Firsts ==
* [[Charles Elliot]], first administrator
* [[Sir Henry Pottinger]], first governor, first [[Irishman]] and first [[Ulster|Ulsterman]] to serve in the role
* [[John Francis Davis|Sir John Francis Davis]], first [[Sinologist]] to serve as governor
* [[Sir John Bowring]], first [[Puritan]] to serve as governor
* [[Sir John Pope Hennessy]], first [[Irish Catholic]] to serve as governor
* [[Sir Matthew Nathan]], first [[Jew]] to serve as governor
* [[Francis Henry May|Sir Francis H. May]], first police chief to serve as governor and the first governor to suffer an assassination attempt (which failed)
* [[Cecil Clementi|Sir Cecil Clementi]], first Indian-born and [[Cantonese]]-speaking governor
* [[Mark Aitchison Young|Sir Mark Young]], first [[prisoner of war]] to serve as governor
* [[Takashi Sakai]], first Japanese administrator to serve as governor
* [[Cecil Harcourt]], first British military administrator to serve as governor (all past governors with military service had retired before assuming the post)
* [[Murray MacLehose, Baron MacLehose of Beoch|Sir Murray MacLehose]], first non-colonial officer to serve as governor; he was a diplomat, a foreign service officer
* [[Sir Edward Youde]], first governor fluent in [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]]; only governor to die in office
* [[Chris Patten, Baron Patten of Barnes|Chris Patten]], first politician to serve as governor; only governor not to don the formal dress as governor; only governor never to have held any title of nobility or [[knighthood]] during his tenure, the last Governor of Hong Kong under British rule before 1 July 1997

==Standards==
<gallery class="center">
File:Flag of the Governor of Hong Kong 1910.svg |Standard of the governor of Hong Kong, 1910–1955
File:Flag of the Governor of Hong Kong 1955.svg|Standard of the governor of Hong Kong, 1955–1959
File:Flag of the Governor of Hong Kong (1959-1997).svg|Standard of the governor of Hong Kong, 1959–1997
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{portal|Hong Kong}}
* [[History of Hong Kong]]
* [[Lieutenant Governor of Hong Kong]] – second in command and acting governor ([[Chief Secretary for Administration|Colonial Secretary]] took over such role since 1870s) when the governor was not in [[Hong Kong]] until 1902
* [[Commander British Forces in Hong Kong]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Governors of Hong Kong}}
* [http://www.hk-place.com/view.php?id=115 Places named after British monarchs, members of the Royal Family and colonial officials in Hong Kong] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317101614/http://hk-place.com/view.php?id=115 |date=17 March 2016 }}
* [http://www.fushantang.com/1006/f1012.html Photos of all Hong Kong Governors]
* [https://digital.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/corpus/ Corpus of Political Speeches], Free access to political speeches by Governor of Hong Kong and other politicians, developed by Hong Kong Baptist University Library

{{Governor of Hong Kong}}
{{British dependencies governors}}
{{Hong Kong topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Governor Of Hong Kong}}
[[Category:British Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Defunct positions of the Hong Kong Government]]
[[Category:Governors of Hong Kong| ]]
[[Category:Lists of political office-holders in Hong Kong|Governors]]
[[Category:Lists of governors in Asia|Hong Kong]]