Madras Presidency was an administrative subdivision of British India. The administration of this Presidency was looked after by several people holding varying positions. One such position was that of a President. Some of the Presidents of Madras Presidency are given below.
Elihu Yale
Elihu Yale was an American-born British merchant, philanthropist and slave trader. He served as the President of the East India Company settlement in Fort St. George at Madras from 8th of August, 1684 to 26th of January, 1685. He again served as the president of the administration of Fort St George from 26th of July, 1687 to 3rd of October, 1692.
William Gyfford
William Gyfford is identified as an English factor and Agent of Madras. He served as the President of Madras from 26th of January, 1685 to 25th of July, 1687.
Nathaniel Higginson
Nathaniel Higginson was an English politician and a scion of the Higginson family of Salem, Massachusetts. He served as the President of Madras from 3rd of October, 1692 to 7th of July, 1698. At the time, a channel was cut in order to interlink the North River with the Coovum and the Madras Secretariat was constructed.
Thomas Pitt
Thomas Pitt was an English merchant, who traded with India. He served as the President of Madras from 7th of July, 1698 to 18th of September, 1709. His period of service as the President is regarded as the `Golden Age of Madras`. He is credited with the fortification of the walls of Black town, organization of an accurate survey of the city and the acquisition of the five new towns namely, Tiruvatiyoor, Kathiwakam, Nungambakkam, Vyasarpady and Sathangadu.
Gulston Addison
Gulston Addison was the President of Madras from 18th of September, 1709 to 17th of October, 1709.
Edmund Montague
Edmund Montague was the Acting Governor of Fort St George from 17th of October, 1709 to 18th of November, 1709.
William Fraser
William Fraser is recorded in Indian history as a British merchant and administrator. He served as the Acting President of Madras from 14th of November, 1709 to 11th of July, 1711.
Edward Harrison
Edward Harrison was a British official and served Madras as the President from 11th of July, 1711 to 8th of January, 1717. At the time, a postal service was established between the factories at Madras and Calcutta. This was the first postal system established by British East India Company in India.
Other Presidents of Madras Presidency
Some of the other Presidents of Madras Presidency were Joseph Collett, Francis Hastings, Nathaniel Elwick, James Macrae, George Morton Pitt, Richard Benyon and Nicholas Morse.
