Sir John James Cowperthwaite KBE CMG 郭伯偉爵士, April 25, 1916 – January 21, 2006) was Financial Secretary of Hong Kong from 1961 to 1971. His introduction of free market economic policies were widely credited with turning postwar Hong Kong into a thriving global financial centre. Commanders Badge of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions, in decreasing order of seniority: Knight or Dame Grand... On the Orders insignia, St Michael is often depicted subduing Satan. ... April 25 is the 115th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (116th in leap years). ... 1916 (MCMXVI) is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January-February January 1 - The Royal Army Medical Corps first successful blood transfusion using blood that had been stored and cooled. ... January 21 is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Financial Secretary, often abbreviated as FS, is a position of the Hong Kong Government. ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1971 calendar). ...

Early years

Cowperthwaite attended Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, Scotland and later studied economics at St Andrews University and Christ's College, at Cambridge University. He joined the British Colonial Administrative service in Hong Kong in 1941, but left briefly during World War II to a posting in Sierra Leone. Merchiston Castle School is unique among boarding schools in Scotland in that it is the only one open to boys only. ... Edinburgh viewed from Arthurs Seat. ... University of St Andrews The University of St Andrews was founded between 1410-1413 and is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the United Kingdom. ... Christs College is a name shared by several educational establishments. ... The University of Cambridge is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world, with one of the most selective sets of entry requirements in the United Kingdom. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film) 1941 (MCMXLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1941 calendar). ... Combatants Allies: • Poland, • UK & Commonwealth, • France/Free France, • Soviet Union, • USA, • China, ...and others• Axis: • Germany, • Italy, • Japan, • ...and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total: 50 million Full list Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total: 12 million Full list World War II...

Hong Kong

He returned to Hong Kong in 1945 and continued to rise through the ranks. He asked to find ways in which the government could boost post-war economic outlook, but he found the economy was recovering swiftly without any government intervention. He took the lesson to heart, and free trade became the focus of his economic policy as Financial Secretary. 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ...

He was appointed as Officer of the British Empire in 1960, Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1964, and knighted in 1968. Commanders Badge of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions, in decreasing order of seniority: Knight or Dame Grand... 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... On the Orders insignia, St Michael is often depicted subduing Satan. ... For the Nintendo 64 emulator, see 1964 (Emulator). ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ...

Post–civil service career

After leaving his retirement, Cowperthwaite was international adviser to Jardine Fleming, the Hong Kong–based investment bank until 1981. He retired and left Hong Kong for St Andrews, Scotland and became a member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Named after Saint Andrew the Apostle, the Royal Burgh of St Andrews is a town on the east coast of Fife, Scotland, and the home of golf. ... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (English: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within the United Kingdom Languages English, Gaelic, Scots Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world. ...

Married to Sheila Thomson in 1941, they had one son. His son predeceased him. For the movie, see 1941 (film) 1941 (MCMXLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1941 calendar). ...

Cowperthwaite died in Scotland on January 21, 2006.

References

• Sir John Cowperthwaite
• Obituary: Sir John Cowperthwaite
• Hong Kong's Nightwatchman by Tim Worstall
• How Hong Kong Makes Everything From Nothing by P.J. O'Rourke
• The Hong Kong Experiment by Milton Friedman