Robert William Keate (16 June 1814 – 17 March 1873) was a career British colonial governor, serving as Commissioner of the Seychelles from 1850 to 1852, Governor of Trinidad from 1857 to 1864, Lieutenant-governor of the Colony of Natal from 1867 to 1872, and Governor of Gold Coast from 7 March 1873 to 17 March 1873.
Early life and family Keate was born in 1814 in Westminster, London, the second son and one of four children of Robert Keate, the brother of John Keate. His older brother Charles died soon after leaving school. Keate was educated at Eton College and later Christ Church, Oxford.Stapylton HEC (1884) Eton School Lists 1791 to 1877, pp. 130–131. Eton: R Ingalton Drake. (Available online at The Internet Archive. Retrieved 10 November 2023.)Foster J (1884) Alumni Oxonienses, later series, E–K, p. 781. Oxford: Parker and Co. (Available online at The Internet Archive. Retrieved 10 November 2023.) He played some cricket at school, playing at Lord's in his final year against Winchester College and in the annual Eton v Harrow match.Robert Keate, CricketArchive. Retrieved 10 November 2023. He graduated in 1836 and was awarded his master's degree in 1842 before being called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1844.
Cricket career Keate made his debut for the Gentlemen in the 1832 Gentlemen v Players fixture before going up to Oxford later in the year. At university he played three matches for the university and in 1835 played the first of 21 matches for Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). He also played for the Gentlemen of Kent, a Fast Bowlers team, the Gentlemen of England, Hampshire, and an England Eleven against Kent in 1840.Robert Keate, CricInfo. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
Colonial service Commissioner of the Seychelles In 1850, Keate was appointed as the Commissioner of the Seychelles. This was a position he held from 1850 to 1852.
Governor of Trinidad Keate later joined the colonial civil service upon, and was sent to the West Indies in 1857 as Governor of Trinidad, a position he held from 26 January 1857 to 1864.
Lieutenant-governor of Natal In 1867, Keate was appointed the Lieutenant-governor of the Colony of Natal, a position he held from 1867 to 1872.
Governor of Cape Coast In 1872, Keate was appointed the Governor of the Gold Coast from 7 March 1873 to 17 March 1873. Keate died at Cape Coast Castle in the Gold Coast on 17 March 1873, just ten days into his Governorship.
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