Sir John Lawrence in the 1850s, photographed by Maull & Polybank
John Laird Mair Lawrence, or by rank 1st Baron Lawrence GCB GCSI PC, was the viceroy and governor-general of the British Raj from 1864 to 1869. He is particularly famous for his institution in Punjab helping in economic, social, political, and diplomatic reforms, where he has earned the title 'Savior of Punjab'.
Early Life[]
Lawrence was born on the 4th of March, 1811 in Richmond, North Riding of Yorkshire (now part of North Yorkshire) to a Scot-Irish (Ulster-Scots) family of 5. His family line, for that matter, was mostly based in India, specifically its army. In fact, both of his brothers, Henry Lawrence and Sir George Lawrence, who were brigadier-general and lieutenant of the British-Indian army, swore their allegiance to the EIC. John had his early years in Derry (Londonderry), eventually going to secondary school at Foyle College and the Wraxhall School in Bath. John had wanted to pursue a military career like his brothers and his father, however his parents (Letitia Knox - mother, from Donegal; father, from Coleraine), specifically his father, who had served the EIC military himself, denied, and enrolled him in the East India College, Hailey, Hertfordshire. His father believed that being a civil servant offered a better future and opportunities. There, he won several awards in history, politics, economy (political economy) and Bengali.