Thomas Stamford Raffles (Raffles Thomas Stamford)

(1781-1826)
Born on board ship in sight of Port-Moran (Jamaica), 6 July 1781. He served as clerk of the British East India Company. In 1805, when the company acquired the island of Penang, became assistant secretary and then secretary of the Governor. In 1811 participated in the expedition to Java. From 1811 to 1816 was Governor of Java. As governor of the colony in Benkulu (West Sumatra) from 1818 to 1825 contributed to the expansion of British influence in Southeast Asia. Abolished slavery, build schools, build relationships with local communities. In 1819, raised the British flag over the island of Singapore; oversaw the construction of the city, founded the Institute of Oriental Languages. Engaged in research of the Trust Territories, wrote works on the ethnography, zoology and botany. Upon his return to England in 1824 and founded the Zoological Society of London Zoo. Raffles died in London on July 5, 1826.