Lord William Bentinck

Lieutenant General Lord William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, known as Lord William Bentinck, was a British soldier and statesman who served as the governor of Fort William (Bengal) from 1828 to 1834 and the first Governor-General of India from 1834 to 1835. He has been credited for significant social and educational reforms in India, including abolishing sati, forbidding women to witness the cremations on the ghats of Varanasi, suppressing female infanticide and human sacrifice. Bentinck said, "the dreadful responsibility hanging over his head in this world and the next, if… he was to consent to the continuance of this practice (sati) one moment longer." Bentinck after consultation with the army and officials passed the Bengal Sati Regulation, 1829. The challenge came from the Dharma Sabha which appealed in the Privy Council, however the ban on Sati was upheld. He reduced lawlessness by eliminating thuggee – which had existed for over 450 years – with the aid of his chief captain, William Henry Sleeman. Along with Thomas Babington Macaulay he introduced English as the language of instruction in India. Mysore was annexed under his presidency.

14 September 1774

Born on the same birth day (14 September): Alberto Korda • Beth Nielsen Chapman • Cecilie Pedersen (Norwegian footballer) • Connor Fields (BMX rider) • David Desharnais • Dmitry Medvedev • Harry Sinden • Jesse James (actor) • Joan Trumpauer Mulholland • Michel Butor • Robert Cecil, 1st Viscount Cecil of Chelwood • Rubby Sherr • Tom Kurvers

Born in the same month (September 1774): Anne Catherine Emmerich • Caspar David Friedrich • Johnny Appleseed