Person Yonge; Sir; George (1731 - 1812); 5th Baronet Yonge; politician and colonial governor Yonge George Sir politician and colonial governor 1731 - 1812 British Male Great House, Colyton, Devon, England 1731 1731 Hampton Court, Richmond upon Thames, Greater London, England 25 September 1812 18120925

politician and colonial governor Education: Eton College (1742-1745); University of Leipzig (1750-1752) Career: Succeeded as the 5th Baronet Yonge, of Culliton (10 August 1751); Secretary of the embassy at Turin (1753); held the office of Member of Parliament for Honiton (1754-1761); held the office of Member of Parliament for Honiton (1763-1796); held the office of Master of the Mint (1794-1799); held the office of Governor of the Cape of Good Hope (1799-1801); baronetcy became extinct upon his death. Honours: KCB 1788 Parents: Sir William Yonge, fourth baronet (c. 1693–1755), of Colyton, Devon, secretary at war from 1735 to 1746, and his second wife, Anne Howard, the daughter and coheir of Thomas Howard, sixth Baron Howard of Effingham. Siblings: Stepbrother, Walter Yonge, from his father's first wife Mary Heathcote. Spouse: Elizabeth (d. 1833), the daughter and heir of Bourchier Cleeve (1715–1760), of Foot's Cray, Kent, a wealthy London pewterer (10 July 1765). He was considered an expert on Roman roads. Yonge Street, a principal road in present day Toronto, Canada, was named after him in 1793 by the Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe. He was considered one of the most incompetent individuals to lead the Cape of Good Hope colony. His governance was marred by conflicts, including disputes with General Francis Dundas and strained relations with the Dutch community due to increased taxes. Yonge faced accusations of corruption and mismanagement, with his administration largely delegated to his private secretary, Mr. Blake, and Lieutenant-Colonel Cockburn. His negligence toward the Cape's role in safeguarding British interests in India drew criticism. Governor-General Richard Wellesley complained that Yonge was more focused on frivolous pursuits like "founding theatres and masquerade rooms." In October 1800, Henry Dundas deemed Yonge's conduct so erratic and extravagant that it risked harming Britain's interests in the settlement. Consequently, Francis Dundas replaced Yonge as acting governor in January 1801. Despite Yonge's request for a delayed transfer, Francis Dundas insisted on an immediate handover, leaving Yonge stranded in Cape Town until he found passage back to England. Upon returning to England in late 1801, Yonge faced political repercussions. He was replaced as MP for Old Sarum in February 1801, and Lord Hobart, the new secretary of state for war, initiated an investigation into alleged abuses during Yonge's governance. A commission at Cape Town charged Blake and Cockburn with malpractices, implicating Yonge to some extent. The charges included the creation of unnecessary offices, monopolies, and private trading in enslaved people. Fellow 13/05/1784 53 Sources: Bulloch's Roll; DNB; "Person Peerage" [URL: https://thepeerage.com/p22037.htm#i220362; last accessed 31/01/2024] References: Sir John Craig, 'The Royal Society and the Royal Mint' in NR 1964 vol 19 pp 156-167, plate Some sources indicate the name of his spouse is Ann Cleeve, rather than Elizabeth Cleeve. Yonge_Sir_George.jpg ©The Royal Society International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/results?mi_search_type=adv&mi_adv_search=yes&adv_person_id=AUTH9414 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-11383 1731 - 25 Sep 1812 The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 31/01/2024 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA806 21/11/2001 Andyg Martind 17/02/2026 RS_NET\VidaM Yes 420f5edd-e424-42f7-b36f-23646fdcbb01