Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Longden, James Robert
LONGDEN, Sir JAMES ROBERT (1827–1891), colonial administrator, youngest son of John R. Longden, proctor, of Doctors' Commons, London, was born in 1827. In 1844, two years after the establishment of a civil government, he was appointed government clerk in the Falkland Islands, and became acting colonial secretary the year after. In 1861 he was appointed president of the Virgin Islands, in 1865 governor of Dominica, in 1867 governor of British Honduras, in 1870 governor of Trinidad, and in December 1876 governor of Ceylon, which post he held until his retirement in 1883. He was made C.M.G. in 1871, K.C.M.G. in 1876, G.C.M.G. in 1883. After his retirement he resided at Longhope, near Watford, Hertfordshire, and took a very active part in county affairs. He was a J.P. and alderman for the county under the Local Government Act. He died at Longhope on 4 Oct. 1891. His funeral took place at Woking crematorium on 9 Oct. 1891.
Longden married in 1864 Alice Emily, daughter of James Berridge of the island of St, Christopher, West Indies.
[Dod's Knightage, 1891; Colonial Office List, 1891; Times, 5 and 10 Oct. 1891.]