Sir Murray MacLehose Has Been the Longest-Serving Governor of Hong Kong

Between the exchange of ratification of the Treaty of Nanjing on June 26, 1843, by which Hong Kong officially became a Crown Colony, and the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China on July 1, 1997, a total of 28 British governors have ruled Hong Kong.

Most of the governors of Hong Kong served between 3 and 7 years. However, two governors stand out due to their longevity at the helm of the colony. Sir Alexander Grantham, after whom the famous fireboat on display in Quarry Bay Park was named, governed Hong Kong for 10 years and 159 days, from July 25, 1947, to December 31, 1957.

However, he was surpassed as the longest-serving governor of Hong Kong by Sir Murray MacLehose, after whom the 100-kilometre hiking trail crossing the New Territories was named, and who governed Hong Kong from November 19, 1971, to May 8, 1982. He served for a record four consecutive terms, spanning 10 years and 170 days. That is, 11 days longer than Sir Alexander Grantham.