Henry William Bentinck
# Henry William Bentinck

Henry William Bentinck (15 November 1765–10 November 1820) was a Dutch-born military officer, planter and colonial administrator. He served as Governor of Saint Vincent (1802–1806), Essequibo Demerara (1806–1812), and Berbice (1814–1820).

## Biography

Bentinck was born in The Hague, Dutch Republic on 15 November 1765 as Hendrik Willem Bentinck. He was a grandson of Willem Bentinck van $Rhoon,^{:71}$ and a relative of William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland. Bentinck was educated in $Great-Britain.^{:13}$ He served 12 years in the cavalry of William V, Prince of $Orange.^{:13}$ On 18 January 1795, William V fled from the Netherlands, and went into exile in Great-Britain. In the same year, Bentinck left for Great-Britain, and started to work for the British colonial $service.^{:13}$

In 1802, he was appointed Governor of Saint Vincent and served until $1806.^{:32}$ After returning from England, he was appointed Governor of Demerara and Essequibo on 10 May 1806. The British government issued a rule overturning the Demerara Court of Policy's decision to proscribe slaves from holding meetings at night. Bentinck delayed implementing the rule, and was dismissed as a $result.^{:32}$ In April 1812, he returned to England and was succeeded by Hugh Lyle Carmichael. On 8 January 1814, Bentinck served as Governor of Berbice. In Berbice, he was also owner of plantation "La Bonne Intention". He was involved in cotton, but ran into financial $difficulties.^{:14–15}$

On 10 November 1820, Bentinck died in Georgetown, at the age of 54.

