George Sutherland Mackenzie
Sir George Sutherland Mackenzie was a British businessman and explorer.
Early life
He was born in Bolarum, British India the son of Sir William Mackenzie, inspector-general of the Madras medical service and his wife Margaret. He was educated in Clapham.Career
In 1868 he left his job as a clerk in Dingwall to join Gray Paul & Co. He was sent to learn the piece-goods trade in Manchester and Calcutta before moving to Bushire in Persia. In 1870 he was sent to Basra to open a branch of the firm there.In 1888, the Imperial [British East Africa Company], of which he was a member was granted a Royal Charter and the following year he sailed to Zanzibar to assume the role of its List of [colonial governors and administrators of Kenya|administrator], effectively its managing director. By way of developing East Africa he introduced Persian agriculturists, improved Mombasa town and harbour, sent caravans into the interior as far as Uganda, and worked on the organisation of the territory. He also assisted the Italians in negotiating treaties with the Somali tribe, and received the grand cross of the crown of Italy in consideration of his service
He ceased to be administrator in May 1890 and returned to England. He later returned to east Africa as acting-administrator for a few months in 1891.