Charles Vyner Brooke Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Sir Charles Vyner Brooke, born in 1874, was the last Rajah of Sarawak, a position he held from 1917 until 1946. As the Rajah, he ruled over the independent state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo, which was under the sovereignty of the Brooke family from 1841 until it became a British Crown Colony in 1946.

Vyner Brooke was educated in England and later joined the Sarawak civil service. He succeeded his father, Charles Brooke, as Rajah in 1917. During his reign, he focused on modernizing Sarawak, improving infrastructure, and promoting education. He also worked to protect the rights of the indigenous people and to preserve the unique culture and traditions of Sarawak.

In recognition of his service, Vyner Brooke was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George by the British government. After World War II, he ceded Sarawak to the British Crown, ending the Brooke family’s century-long rule. He spent his later years in England, residing at 13 Albion Street in Westminster, London, where the blue plaque commemorating his life is located. The Borough of Westminster, in the heart of London, is known for its rich history and has been home to many notable figures throughout the centuries. Sir Charles Vyner Brooke passed away in 1963, leaving behind a legacy as the last Rajah of Sarawak and a key figure in the history of this unique region.