Bentinck, Lord William Cavendish [key], 1774–1839, British administrator in India. He served in the Napoleonic Wars and was (1803–7) governor of Madras. He was appointed governor-general of Bengal in 1827, assuming the title governor-general of India in 1833. Bentinck was strongly influenced by British utilitarianism and introduced many reforms in the interest of the people. He admitted Indians to important office, fostered communication and education, and revised the system of landholding. He also abolished suttee and began suppression of the Thugs.
See biography by J. Rosselli (1974).
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