William Burgess Pryer

William B. Pryer, the founder of Sandakan.[1]

William Burgess Pryer (7 March 1843 in London, England; – 7 January 1899 in Suez, Egypt) was the first British Resident in North Borneo and the founder of the modern Sandakan.

Correspondence with Rizal

Pryer and his wife met with Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, on their trip to Hong Kong sometime in 1892. Rizal shared his idea of a Filipino community in Sabah for those who were dispossessed of their lands in Calamba by the Dominicans. Pryer was receptive of the idea, and corresponded with Rizal to finalise the details of the lease. However, the Governor-General of the Philippines at that time, Eulogio Despujol, opposed the proposal.[2][3]

William Pryer Memorial

William Burgess Pryer Memorial in Sandakan.

In honour for Pryer, a memorial in the form of a fountain stand in the town of Sandakan. An inscription on the monument says:

This Memorial
was erected
in Memory of
William B. Pryer
1845-1899
Founder of Sandakan
in 1879

References

  1. ↑ "Founding of Sandakan". Sabah State Government. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  2. ↑ Quennie Ann. J. Palafox (10 April 2013). "Rizal's Settlement Project in Sabbah". National Historic Commission of the Philippines. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "Miscellaneous Letters Exchanged Between José Rizal and Others Between January to June of 1892". National Historic Commission of the Philippines. Retrieved 19 October 2014.


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