The Hastings River is named after Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings, who served as the Governor-General of India.
Origins of the Name
The river received its name from John Oxley, a pioneering European explorer. Oxley sighted the river in 1818, and it was subsequently charted by European explorers during this period. He bestowed the name Hastings River in honor of the then-incumbent Governor-General of India, Francis Rawdon-Hastings.
This historical designation reflects the common practice of early European explorers naming newly discovered geographical features after prominent figures of their time, particularly those holding significant political or military positions within the British Empire.
Key Naming Details
To summarize the essential information regarding the naming of the Hastings River:
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Named For | Francis Rawdon-Hastings, 1st Marquess of Hastings |
| His Role | Governor-General of India |
| Named By | John Oxley |
| Year Sighted | 1818 |
About Francis Rawdon-Hastings
Francis Rawdon-Hastings (1754–1826) was a distinguished British politician and military officer. His career spanned several significant historical periods, including the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars, where he held various commands. Most notably, he served as the Governor-General of India from 1813 to 1823, a period of considerable expansion and consolidation of British power in the subcontinent. His extensive influence across the British imperial administration made him a notable figure whose name was often commemorated through the naming of geographical locations in newly explored territories.
