Francis Light Memorial

Francis Light Memorial (17 April 2011)


Francis Light Memorial is a monument on the grounds of the St George's Anglican Church at Farquhar Street, George Town. It commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Prince of Wales Island by Captain Francis Light. Prince of Wales Island was the name the Light gave to Penang, and the founding is defined by the establishment of George Town as a British trading port.

The Francis Light Memorial was however not built in 1886 (which I had originally thought), but much earlier, probably in the 1840s or 50s. It was designed in the Georgian-Palladium style similar to the church behind it. The memorial has a dome ornamented with vases. Underneath the dome is a marble plaque honouring Light.

Updates on the Francis Light Memorial

23 August, 2017
My friend Jeffery Seow told me that according to Allan Maclean Skinner, the Resident Councillor of George Town in 1887, the monument was set up by Robert Scott (1788 Penang-1846 Semarang), the son of James Scott. Robert was only 6 years old when Francis Light died in 1794. As Robert died in 1846, at the age of 58 years, the memorial would have been set up before then.

Getting there by public transport

The nearest bus stop is in front of Hutchings School. It is served by Rapid Penang bus 103, 204, 502 and CAT. From there walk east on Farquhar Street for just about 10 meters, to see the St George's Church on your right. The Francis Light Memorial is on the foreground of the church.

The Francis Light Memorial, with the St George's Anglican Church behind it. (17 April 2011)


Francis Light Memorial (17 April 2011)


The Francis Light Memorial. (17 April 2011)


The Francis Light Memorial and St George's Church. (14 May 2011)


View of the compound of St George's Church, withb the Francis Light Memorial on the left. (14 May 2011)

Location of Francis Light Memorial on the map

More on Captain Francis Light; list of Monuments in Penang and Monuments in Malaysia