Did you know that the Statue of Francis Light isn’t really Francis Light? It’s a story worth telling as we stand here.
The Statue of Francis Light stands here at Fort Cornwallis in George Town. It commemorates the founder of Penang, Captain Francis Light. The statue was erected in 1936. It celebrated 150 years since George Town’s founding.
But here is the twist. The statue is not actually modeled after Francis Light himself. No portraits of Francis Light existed. The sculptor, F.J. Wilcoxson, used Francis Light’s son, William Light, as the model. So, we are actually looking at William Light.
Francis Light was born around 1740 in Suffolk, England. He died on Penang Island on October 21, 1794. Light was a British Royal Navy officer and explorer. He is best known for founding the colony of Penang. He also established George Town in 1786.
Light’s early career involved service in the Royal Navy. He later became a merchant trader. He established a trading post in Thalang, Siam now Phuket, Thailand. He learned local languages including Malay and Thai.
In 1786, Light leased Penang Island from Sultan Abdullah Mukarram Shah. He acted on behalf of the East India Company. The price was 6000 Spanish dollars per year. Light became the superintendent of the settlement. The Malays called him Dewa Raja. This marked the beginning of British Malaya.
Penang was sparsely populated. It was described as one vast jungle. Pirates had to be discouraged. Forests were cleared. George Town was established. It was named after King George III.
Light exceeded his authority with a promise of military aid. This aid was for the Sultan. It was in case of Burmese or Siamese invasion. When no aid arrived, the Sultan tried to reclaim the island in 1790.
Despite the conflict, Penang prospered under Light’s leadership. By 1789, it had about 10000 inhabitants. By 1795, it had 20000. Light was known as fair and honorable.
Francis Light died from malaria in 1794. He was buried at the Old Protestant Cemetery in George Town. Light Street is named after him. Convent Light Street is Penang’s oldest girls’ school.
Light had a partner named Martina Rozells. Her origins are debated. She may have been of Portuguese, French, Siamese, or Malay descent. They had three daughters and two sons. William Light, the son, became the first Surveyor General of South Australia. He designed the city of Adelaide.
So, while this statue bears the name of Francis Light. It gives us a glimpse of his son William. It reminds us of the complex story of Penang’s founding. It also reminds us of the people who shaped its history.