Robert Fullerton was the first Governor of the Straits Settlements but not much is known about his short tenure; his main memorial being the Fullerton Hotel, Singapore, which was named after him.
He was born in 1773 in Edinburgh, son of William Fullerton of Carstairs and wife Isabella, and lived in a large house at 27 Melville Street, Edinburgh. He was one of twelve children; one of his brothers was John Fullerton, a Scottish Law Lord, and his elder sister Elizabeth married William Fullerton Elphinstone, a director of the East India Company.
Like many colonial administrators at this time he was employed in the East India Company in various capacities and gradually worked his way up the ranks of seniority, perhaps aided by his brother in law, William Elphinstone, who was a director in the company. His first senior position was at the age of 41 when on 20th August, 1824 he was appointed Governor of Prince of Wales Isle (Penang) and he continued in this role until 27th November, 1826 when he was appointed to the newly created position of Governor of the Straits Settlements.
The Straits Settlements were established in 1826 as a consequence of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 which settled territorial boundaries between the two nations. They were the only British territories on the Malay Peninsula and consisted of four settlements: Malacca, obtained from the Dutch in 1824 under the treaty, Penang and Singapore, both islands obtained from the local Malay rajas, and later the Dindings, a group of small islands and port. They were named the Straits Settlements after the Straits of Malacca on which they were situated and were administered by the East India Company up until 1858 when the British Raj, based in Calcutta took over. Then in 1867 they became British Crown Colonies administered from London.
In 1826 on the formation of the Straits Settlements, Robert Fullerton was the man in the right place at the right time, being then Governor of Penang which was also the administrative capital of the Straits Settlements, remaining so until 1832 when it moved from Penang to Singapore. Not much is known about his work during his short tenure except for a reference to the creation of a “Committee of Assessors” to maintain the streets of Penang, and setting up of a”Municipal System” in the States.
Tragically, like many of his predecessors based in unhealthy Penang, he died whilst in office on 6th June, 1831 in England, and was buried in London, and his gravestone records,-
“To the memory of Robert Fullerton Esq, late governor of Prince of Wales Isle who passed many years of his life in the service of the Hon’ East India Company with the utmost honor and integrity. In public life most upright. In private life most affectionate. He died on 6th June, 1831, age 58 years.”
Malaysia 1786 - 1957 