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). [1]
Bentinck was born in The Hague, Dutch Republic on 15 November 1765 as Hendrik Willem Bentinck. [2] [3] He was a grandson of Willem Bentinck van Rhoon, [4]: 71 and a relative of William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland. [4] Bentinck was educated in Great-Britain. [1]: 13 He served 12 years in the cavalry of William V, Prince of Orange. [2] [1]: 13 On 18 January 1795, William V fled from the Netherlands, and went into exile in Great-Britain. [5] In the same year, Bentinck left for Great-Britain, [3] and started to work for the British colonial service. [1]: 13
In 1802, he was appointed Governor of Saint Vincent and served until 1806. [4]: 32 After returning from England, he was appointed Governor of Demerara and Essequibo on 10 May 1806. [6] 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. [4]: 32 In April 1812, he returned to England and was succeeded by Hugh Lyle Carmichael. [7] On 8 January 1814, Bentinck served as Governor of Berbice. [8] In Berbice, he was also owner of plantation "La Bonne Intention". [9] He was involved in cotton, but ran into financial difficulties. [4]: 14–15
On 10 November 1820, Bentinck died in Georgetown, at the age of 54. [10]