James Spring Branson

James Henry Spring Branson (11 June 1842 – 8 April 1897) was an officer of the Indian volunteer force and a lawyer, who was the acting Advocate General of the Madras Presidency.

James Henry Spring Branson
Advocate-General of Madras Presidency
In office 1887–1897
Succeeded by	V. Bhashyam Aiyangar (acting)
Member of the Madras Legislative Council
In office 1886–1897
Personal details
Born	11 June 1842
Died	8 April 1897(1897-04-08) (aged 54) Madras Presidency, India
Occupation	lawyer
Profession	Advocate-General, legislator

Career

Spring Branson was commissioned into the Indian volunteer force and served with the Madras Artillery Volunteers. As Commandant, his decision to allow "native gentlemen" to serve with the regiment almost caused a revolt amongst the white soldiers.^[1] The Madras Government hastily rescinded Spring Branson's order and continued to enforce the ban on "native" volunteers. He resigned from the army as a lieutenant-colonel a few years later in order to practice as a lawyer.

He was appointed first, Crown Prosecutor and then, Public-Prosecutor, Madras, 4 July 1885. In March 1887, he was appointed acting Advocate-General of Madras Presidency. Spring Branson served as a legislator in the Madras Legislative Council between 1886 and his death. He served as President of the Madras Bar Association.

He died in 1897 and is buried in the Anglican St. Mary's Church, Chennai. Branson Gardens in Chennai are named after him.

References

• India List and the India Office List. London: Harrison and Co. 1893. p. 384.

1. Mrinalini Sinha, Colonial Masculinity: The 'manly Englishman' and The' Effeminate Bengali' in the Late Nineteenth Century (Manchester University Press, 1995), 83.