Sir Arthur Hamilton Gordon, G.C.M.G., who succeeded Sir Hercules Robinson, was Governor of New Zealand from November, 1880, to June 1882. He is the youngest son of the Earl of Aberdeen, and was born in 1829. From 1854 to 1857 he represented Beverley in the House of Commons. During the time his father was Premier he acted as his private secretary. In 1861 he was appointed Governor of New Brunswick, Governor of Trinidad in 1866, and Governor of Mauritius in 1870. It was also in this year that the dignity of knighthood was conferred upon him. Five years later the Fiji Islands were created a separate Colony, and Sir Arthur Gordon was appointed the first Governor and Commander-in-Chief. In connection with this he also received the appointment of Consul-General, and High Commissioner of the Western Pacific. From Fiji he was promoted to the Governorship of New Zealand in 1880. In 1882 he resigned, and in the following year was appointed Governor of Ceylon.