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1781 – 1826: The story of Thomas Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore and governor of Java
Raffles: And the Golden Opportunity
What you need to know before your trail
Thomas Stamford Raffles (1781-1826) was the charismatic and persuasive founder of Singapore and Governor of Java. An English adventurer, disobedient employee of the East India Company, utopian imperialist, linguist, zoologist and civil servant, he carved an extraordinary (though brief) life for himself in South East Asia.
An obscure young man with no advantages other than talent and obsessive drive, who changed history by establishing – without authority – on the wretchedly unpromising island of Singapore, a settlement which has become a world city.
Travel Guide
Travel back in time to Java and Singapore as they were founded
Sir Stamford Raffles
Sir Stamford Raffles was a British statesman and Lieutenant-Governor of the Dutch East Indies best known for his founding of Singapore and the British Malaya. In 1795, when he was just 14, Raffles started working as a clerk in London for the British East India Company, the trading company that shaped many of Britain’s overseas conquests. In 1805, he was sent to Prince of Wales Island, Malaya, starting his long association with Southeast Asia.
He was heavily involved in the conquest of the Indonesian island of Java from Dutch and French military forces during the Napoleonic Wars.
BookTrail Boarding Pass: Raffles: And the Golden Opportunity
Destination: Java, Malaysia (Malaya), Singapore, Sumatra Author/guide: Victoria Glendinning Departure Time: 1781-1826
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