Martin Lister (colonial administrator) explained

Martin Lister
Order:British Resident at Negeri Sembilan
Predecessor:Position established
Succeeded:W. F. B. Paul
Term Start:1889
Term End:1891
Predecessor1:Robert Norman Bland (Acting)
Order1:British Resident at Negeri Sembilan
Successor1:Ernest Woodford Birch (Acting)
Termstart1:1895
Termend1:1897
Birth Date:1857
Death Date:24 February 1897
Death Place:Suez
Nationality:British
Profession:Colonial administrator

Martin Lister (1857 – 24 February 1897) was a British colonial administrator who was the first British Resident of Negeri Sembilan, state of Malaysia.

Early life

Martin Lister was born in 1857, son of Thomas Lister, 3rd Baron Ribblesdale, and Lady Emma Mune,[1] and educated at Cheltenham College. His first job was as a clerk working in the Bank of England. After resigning his position he travelled to Ceylon where he became a “creeper” on a rubber estate before going into partnership with two other English planters. The venture failed when the crop was lost to leaf disease and he moved with his partners to the Malaya peninsula to seek further opportunities in the rubber business.[2] [3]

Career

In 1884 he was recruited to the British colonial administration as Secretary to the Resident of Perak on the recommendation of Frank Swettenham, British Resident of Selangor. In November 1885 he was appointed magistrate at Kuala Selangor and, a month later, magistrate of Ulu Selangor. On 1 January 1886 he became collector and magistrate at Sri Menanti. In October 1887 he was appointed Superintendent Negeri Sembilan, and in December 1889 he was promoted, becoming the first British Resident of Negeri Sembilan.[4]

After being in poor health for several months with heart problems he departed on leave for England on 9 February 1897. Leaving on the steamer Sydney he was taken ill at Suez where he died on 24 February 1897.[5]

Memorials

Memorials commemorating Martin Lister include an arch in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan,[6] [7] a brass plate in St. Mary's Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur,[8] and a fountain in Sembilan with a plaque bearing the inscription: “1897. A public tribute to the memory of the Honourable Martin Lister, British Resident of Negeri Sembilan”.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Lister Family, Barons Ribblesdale, Family and Estate Records. . Lister Family, Barons Ribblesdale, Family and Estate Records . National Archives (United Kingdom).
  2. News: 23 March 1897 . DEATH OF THE HON. MARTIN LISTER . 9 . The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (Weekly) .
  3. News: 26 June 1938 . Kuala Pilah . 24 . The Straits Times .
  4. Book: Arnold Wright, H. A. Cartwright . Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its History, People, Commerce, Industries, and Resources . Lloyd's Greater Britain publishing Company, limited . 1908 . 129.
  5. News: 24 March 1897 . THE LATE HON. MARTIN LISTER. . 2 . Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle .
  6. Book: D.K.Travel . DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Malaysia and Singapore . Dorling Kindersley Ltd. . 126.
  7. News: 26 April 1906 . The Lister Memorial. . 13 . The Straits Budget .
  8. News: 13 April 1897 . THE LATE MR. MARTIN LISTER. . 5 . The Straits Budget .
  9. News: 25 June 1933 . Lest We Forget . 10 . The Straits Times .