Benjamin Horsburgh
Benjamin Horsburgh CMG was a colonial administrator who served as acting Governor of British Ceylon.
Early life and education
Horsburgh was born on 10 April 1868 in Scotland. He was educated at Heriot's School and University of Edinburgh where he took his MA degree.Career
Horsburgh entered the Ceylon Civil Service in 1889. He held various appointments at several Kacheries before he was appointed in 1906 as Chairman of Colombo Municipal Council and Mayor of Colombo. At various times he served as Government Agent in the North Central, North-Western and Northern Provinces. From 1919–20, he was Commissioner of Excise; Food Controller, and Controller of Revenue.He acted as Colonial Secretary on several occasions, and administered the government as acting Governor of Ceylon for a short period in 1922. He retired from the service in 1923 and settled in Edinburgh.
Personal life and death
Horsburgh held a commission as a volunteer in the Ceylon Garrison Artillery, retiring with the rank of Major and was awarded the Officer's Decoration. He published various papers on the origin of place names in Ceylon for the "Ceylon Antiquary". He never married.Horsburgh died on 10 April 1935.