Benjamin D'Urban

May 25, 1849: English general, politician, and Governor of British Guiana Sir Benjamin D'Urban died in Montréal, Canada. Born in Halesworth, Suffolk, he joined the British Army in 1793 and made rapid progress in the Army, distinguishing himself in the Peninsular War. He became the first Governor of British Guiana in 1831 then three years later was appointed to the post of Governor of the Cape Colony. He was in office when the British government abolished slavery, established municipal and legislative councils, occupied Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal) and named it as a new colony for the British Empire. In 1847 he accepted appointment as commander of Her Majesty's forces in British North America, setting up his headquarters in Montréal where he remained until his death.