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{{For|Stephen Popham (English MP, died 1444)|Stephen Popham (English MP)}} | {{For|Stephen Popham (English MP, died 1444)|Stephen Popham (English MP)}} | ||
{{Infobox | {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} | ||
{{Infobox officeholder | |||
| constituency_MP1 = [[Castlebar (Parliament of Ireland constituency)|Castlebar]] | | constituency_MP1 = [[Castlebar (Parliament of Ireland constituency)|Castlebar]] | ||
| term_start1 = 1776 | | term_start1 = 1776 | ||
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== Early life == | == Early life == | ||
Popham was born on 5 July 1745,<ref name="leighrayment">{{cite web|title=Irish House of Commons, 1692-1800|url=http://www.leighrayment.com/commons/irelandcommons.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607022535/http://www.leighrayment.com/commons/irelandcommons.htm | Popham was born on 5 July 1745,<ref name="leighrayment">{{cite web|title=Irish House of Commons, 1692-1800|url=http://www.leighrayment.com/commons/irelandcommons.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607022535/http://www.leighrayment.com/commons/irelandcommons.htm|archive-date=June 7, 2008|url-status=usurped|publisher=Leigh Rayment}}</ref> the fourth son of Joseph Popham of [[Gibraltar]] and Mary Riggs.<ref name="westminsterschoolp754">{{cite book|title=The record of old Westminsters: a biographical list of all those who are known to have been educated at Westminster school from the earliest times to 1927, Volume 2|page=754|publisher=Chiswick press|year=1928}}</ref> Popham's younger brother was the British naval officer Admiral [[Sir Home Riggs Popham]].<ref name="theindependent_19980606">{{cite news|title=Popham - The Improver|work=[[The Independent]]|first=Peter|last=Popham|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/popham-the-improver-1163210.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/popham-the-improver-1163210.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|date=6 June 1998}}</ref> He had his education at King's School and matriculated from [[Trinity College, Cambridge]] in 1764.<ref name="westminsterschoolp754" /> He graduated as 4th Wrangler in 1767 and obtained a Master of Arts degree in 1774.<ref name="westminsterschoolp754" /> Popham was admitted to the [[Middle Temple]] on 14 April 1762.<ref name="westminsterschoolp754" /> | ||
Popham entered politics in 1776 and was elected to the [[Irish House of Commons]] in June 1776 as MP for [[Castlebar (Parliament of Ireland constituency)|Castlebar]].<ref name="leighrayment" /> Popham and was succeeded as MP by [[James Browne (died 1790)|James Browne]]. | Popham entered politics in 1776 and was elected to the [[Irish House of Commons]] in June 1776 as MP for [[Castlebar (Parliament of Ireland constituency)|Castlebar]].<ref name="leighrayment" /> Popham and was succeeded as MP by [[James Browne (died 1790)|James Browne]]. | ||
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==Pophams Broadway, Madras== | ==Pophams Broadway, Madras== | ||
The [[Broadway, Chennai|Pophams Broadway]] at [[Madras]] was once a fine road bisecting [[George Town, Chennai|George Town]] into Peddanaickenpet and Muthialpet. Before, it was a road, it was a ditch in the suburb called Atta Pallam, and was owned by Stephen Popham, former MP of the [[British Parliament]] and later [[Advocate General]] at [[Calcutta]], who moved to [[Madras]] in 1778. Popham is credited with setting up the [[Madras Police]] in 1782. At that time, the lands of the present [[Madras United Club]], [[Government General Hospital, Chennai|General Hospital]] and [[Park Town, Chennai|Park Town]] Post Office was a hill called Hoggs Hill (called as Narimedu or 'mound of foxes' by the natives). Hoggs Hill was considered to be a security threat to the [[Fort St. George]] and a decision was taken to level the hill. Popham's negotiated with the [[Government of Tamil Nadu|Government of Madras]] to use the earth removed from Hoggs Hill to fill up the ditch. The road which came through after filling the ditch came to be known as Popham's Broadway.<ref name=IndiaToday>{{cite news|last1=Sriram|first1=V|title=History behind the broadway|url= | The [[Broadway, Chennai|Pophams Broadway]] at [[Madras]] was once a fine road bisecting [[George Town, Chennai|George Town]] into Peddanaickenpet and Muthialpet. Before, it was a road, it was a ditch in the suburb called Atta Pallam, and was owned by Stephen Popham, former MP of the [[British Parliament]] and later [[Advocate General]] at [[Calcutta]], who moved to [[Madras]] in 1778. Popham is credited with setting up the [[Madras Police]] in 1782. At that time, the lands of the present [[Madras United Club]], [[Government General Hospital, Chennai|General Hospital]] and [[Park Town, Chennai|Park Town]] Post Office was a hill called Hoggs Hill (called as Narimedu or 'mound of foxes' by the natives). Hoggs Hill was considered to be a security threat to the [[Fort St. George]] and a decision was taken to level the hill. Popham's negotiated with the [[Government of Tamil Nadu|Government of Madras]] to use the earth removed from Hoggs Hill to fill up the ditch. The road which came through after filling the ditch came to be known as Popham's Broadway.<ref name=IndiaToday>{{cite news|last1=Sriram|first1=V|title=History behind the broadway|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/supplement/story/20080218-history-behind-the-broadway-735369-2008-02-08|access-date=2 December 2015|agency=India Today|date=18 February 2008}}</ref> | ||
== Death == | == Death == | ||
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}} | }} | ||
{{s-end}} | {{s-end}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Popham, Stephen}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Popham, Stephen}} | ||
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[[Category:Members of the Middle Temple]] | [[Category:Members of the Middle Temple]] | ||
[[Category:Members of the Parliament of Ireland (pre-1801) for County Mayo constituencies]] | [[Category:Members of the Parliament of Ireland (pre-1801) for County Mayo constituencies]] | ||
[[Category:People from the Bengal Presidency]] | |||
Latest revision as of 01:54, 30 December 2025
Stephen Popham | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Castlebar | |
| In office 1776 – ? | |
| Monarch | George III of the United Kingdom |
| Preceded by | John William Hamilton |
| Succeeded by | James Browne |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 July 1745 United Kingdom |
| Died | 13 June 1795 (aged 49) Conjeevaram, Madras Presidency |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Cambridge |
| Occupation | Solicitor, politician, civic activist |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Stephen Popham (5 July 1745 – 13 June 1795) was a British politician and solicitor who is remembered for improving the residential locality of Georgetown in the city of Chennai, India and reforming the civic and police administration.
Early life[edit | edit source]
Popham was born on 5 July 1745,[1] the fourth son of Joseph Popham of Gibraltar and Mary Riggs.[2] Popham's younger brother was the British naval officer Admiral Sir Home Riggs Popham.[3] He had his education at King's School and matriculated from Trinity College, Cambridge in 1764.[2] He graduated as 4th Wrangler in 1767 and obtained a Master of Arts degree in 1774.[2] Popham was admitted to the Middle Temple on 14 April 1762.[2]
Popham entered politics in 1776 and was elected to the Irish House of Commons in June 1776 as MP for Castlebar.[1] Popham and was succeeded as MP by James Browne.
In India[edit | edit source]
Popham's fortunes began to decline in the late 1770s and he faced a financial crisis.[3] He arrived in India about this time and was worked in Calcutta as Secretary to Sir John Day, the Advocate-General of Bengal.[3] In 1778, he travelled along with Day to the city of Madras for an official inquiry. At Madras, a violent argument broke out between Day and Popham forcing the two to break up. Popham stayed on in Madras and purchased a plot in Blacktown and settled down in the city.[3]
Popham purchased the adjacent plot and constructed a drainage channel in the area. He then constructed a wide thoroughfare through Blacktown. The road was named "Popham's Broadway" and presently, it is known simply as Broadway. Popham was critical of the power and influence of the dubashes[4]
Popham recommended the construction of direct and cross drains in every street, the lighting of streets, registration of births and deaths and licensing of liquor shops and outlets.[5] In 1782, Popham submitted a plan for the creation of a regular police force in Madras city.[5]
Pophams Broadway, Madras[edit | edit source]
The Pophams Broadway at Madras was once a fine road bisecting George Town into Peddanaickenpet and Muthialpet. Before, it was a road, it was a ditch in the suburb called Atta Pallam, and was owned by Stephen Popham, former MP of the British Parliament and later Advocate General at Calcutta, who moved to Madras in 1778. Popham is credited with setting up the Madras Police in 1782. At that time, the lands of the present Madras United Club, General Hospital and Park Town Post Office was a hill called Hoggs Hill (called as Narimedu or 'mound of foxes' by the natives). Hoggs Hill was considered to be a security threat to the Fort St. George and a decision was taken to level the hill. Popham's negotiated with the Government of Madras to use the earth removed from Hoggs Hill to fill up the ditch. The road which came through after filling the ditch came to be known as Popham's Broadway.[6]
Death[edit | edit source]
Popham died in Conjeevaram on 13 June 1795 as a result of injuries suffered during a fall from his curricle.[7]
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Irish House of Commons, 1692-1800". Leigh Rayment. Archived from the original on 7 June 2008.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 The record of old Westminsters: a biographical list of all those who are known to have been educated at Westminster school from the earliest times to 1927, Volume 2. Chiswick press. 1928. p. 754.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Popham, Peter (6 June 1998). "Popham - The Improver". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022.
- ↑ Mukund, Kanakalatha (2005). The view from below: indigenous society, temples, and the early colonial state in Tamilnadu, 1700-1835. Orient Blackswan. p. 41. ISBN 978-81-250-2800-0.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Srinivasachari, C. S. (1939). "Governor Pigot and his immediate successors (1775-1803)". History of the city of Madras written for the Tercentenary Celebration Committee. Madras: P. Varadachary & Co. pp. 189–191.
- ↑ Sriram, V (18 February 2008). "History behind the broadway". India Today. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
- ↑ Wilkinson, Theon (1976). Two monsoons. Duckworth. p. 194. ISBN 978-0-7156-1015-2.
| Unrecognised parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Edward Kirwan John William Hamilton |
Succeeded by Thomas Warren James Browne | |