Francis Light
1740-1794

Francis Light's Grave

Francis Light's Grave

Francis Light is widely acknowledged as the founder of the British Settlement on Penang Island. He is believed to have been the illegitimate son of one Mary Light. Light's father is unknown. Light was brought up by a relative, William Negus. He served in the British navy, as a Royal Navy midshipman from 1759 to 1763, after which he left the navy to become a trader the Far East. He based his operations in Phuket, and was instrumental in negotiating the establishment of a British settlement on Penang Island from the Sultan of Kedah. He died less than ten years after the founding of Penang Island, on 21 October 1794, leaving behind a common-law Eurasion wife, Martina Rozells, with whom he had four daughters and two sons. One of his sons, Colonel William Light, was the founder of Adelaide, Australia.

More information on Francis Light can be found in the following pages:

Francis Light's Tomb

Francis Light's Statue

Francis Light Memorial

Francis Light's Well

Fort Cornwallis

Government House

Governors of the Straits Settlements

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