Gray, John Milner, Sir, 1889-

Sir John Milner Gray (1889-1970) was educated at Dover College, Perse School and King's College, Cambridge. After training as a solicitor, he joined the Colonial Administrative Service in Uganda in 1920. In 1934 he was transferred to Gambia, where he became Judge of the Supreme Court. He was Governor in Gambia in 1935 and 1940, and in 1943 became Chief Justice of Zanzibar. He was knighted in 1944. After his retirement in 1952 Gray remained in Zanzibar to carry out research in the Consular archives. In 1960 he moved back to Cambridge, where he died in 1970.

After his posting to Uganda in 1920 Gray investigated the untouched parts of Africa, taking a particular interest in local languages. His findings were published in the Uganda Journal and Tanganyika Notes and Records . His other publications include a History of the Gambia, The British in Mombasa, 1824-1826, Early Portuguese Missionaries in East Africa, and a History of Zanzibar from the middle ages to 1856 .

From the guide to the Sir John Milner Gray: Papers, 20th century, (Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives)

Papers of Sir John Milner Gray, 1889-1970; Colonial Administrator.

Reference: Deposit information.

From the guide to the Papers of Sir John Milner Gray, [194-]-1966, (University of Birmingham Information Services, Special Collections Department)