Josias Du Pre

Sir Josias Du Pre was one of the most renowned Governors of Madras Presidency in undivided India from the year 1770 to 1773, under the rule of the British East India Company. He also acted as a colonial administrator. Du Pre also served as one of the members of the British Indian Civil Service, which was the civil service of the Government of India during the era of the rule of British Empire in India. The members of the civil service were appointed under Section XXXII of the Government of India Act, 1858 of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. After the year 1886, the Indian Civil Service was officially known as Imperial Civil Service. Du Pre was also a well known British merchant and acted as a director of the Honourable British East India Company.

Early Life of Josias Du Pre
Josias Du Pre was born in the year 1721. After the successful completion of his graduation, he joined the British Indian Civil Service (ICS) as a factor in 1752. In a short period of time, he was promoted through various ranks and later served in England during the 1760s. Du Pre bought the Wilton Park estate in Buckinghamshire during the year 1770.

Career of Josias Du Pre
Josias Du Pre was appointed as the Governor of the province of Madras (now Chennai) on 31 January 1770. He was preceded by Charles Bourchier who held the position from 25 January 1767 to 31 January 1770. The Madras Presidency, also known as the Presidency of Fort St. George and Madras Province, was an administrative sub division of British dominated India. The region included most of southern India, such as the modern states of Tamil Nadu, the Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions of Andhra Pradesh, Lakshadweep Islands, the Malabar region of North Kerala, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangapur and Gajapati districts of southern Orissa and the Bellary, Ganjam, Dakshina Kannada, Rayagada and Udupi districts of Karnataka. Madras (now Chennai) was the winter capital of the province and Ootacamund (now Ooty) was the summer capital of the British presidency.

During his tenure, he primarily focused on the establishment of fortifications in the region. Du Pre served in office till 2 February 1773 and was succeeded by Alexander Wynch, who acted as the Governor of Madras from 2 February 1773 to 11 December 1775.

Personal Life of Josias Du Pre
Sir Josias Du Pre was married to Rebecca Alexander, who was the daughter of Nathaniel Alexander. The couple had several children namely, James Du Pre, Eliza Du Pre and Rebecca Du Pre. Josias Du Pre died in the year 1780.