Arthur Dobbs
Arthur Dobbs (2 April 1689 – 28 March 1765) was an Anglo-Irish politician with large landholdings in North Carolina who served as the colonial governor of the state from 1754 to 1765.
Early life and career
He was born the eldest son of Richard Dobbs of Carrickfergus, County Antrim, who was soon to become Sheriff of Antrim in 1694. He was a neighbour and family friend of Jonathan Swift despite their political differences. He served briefly in a dragoon regiment in the Irish Army, and afterward managed his family estate.
He became an engineer and Surveyor-General of Ireland, supervising the construction of the Irish Parliament House in Dublin, as well as other Irish public buildings. He was appointed High Sheriff of Antrim in 1720 and in 1727 was elected Member of Parliament for Carrickfergus, a seat he held until 1760.
Whilst a member of the Irish Parliament, he purchased 400,000 acres (1,600 km2) in North Carolina in 1745 and encouraged settlement in the colony, especially by Irishmen. Following the death of North Carolina governor Gabriel Johnston, Dobbs was confirmed to succeed him on 25 January 1753. However, he did not arrive to assume his duties until October of the following year.
