BENTINCK, LORD WILLIAM governor general of India, second son of the 3rd duke of Portland, was born on Sept. 14, 17 74. He entered the army, rose to the rank of lieuten ant-colonel and was present at Marengo. In 1803 he was nominated governor of Madras, where he quarrelled with the chief justice, Sir Henry Gwillim, and several members of his council. The sepoy mutiny at Vellore in 1807 led to his recall. His name was considered at this time for the post of governor-general, but Lord Minto was selected instead : and it was not until twenty years later that he succeeded Lord Amherst in that office. His governor generalship (18 2 7-3 5) was notable for many reforms, chief among which were the suppression of the Thugs (q.v.), the abolition of suttee, and the making of the English language the basis of edu cation in India. Lord William's administration was essentially peaceful, but progressive and successful. He died in Paris on June 17, 1839.
See Demetrius C. Boulger, Lord William Bentinck, in the "Rulers of India" series (1892) .