George Pigot

George Pigot, also known was Baron Pigot, 1st Baronet Pigot of Patshul was an English merchant and official in the service of the English East India Company.

He entered the service of the East India Company as a young boy at age 17, and progressed in subsequent years to become the commander in chief of Madras (Chennai) in 1755. During his governorship he was remembered due to his bold and determined defense of Madras against the French attack, and for occupation of the former French town Pondicherry on behalf of the East India Company.

During his residence in India Pigot earned a fortune of £400,000, and upon his temporary return to England in 1765 he was given a baronetcy. While staying in homeland, he became involved in politics serving as Member of Parliament for Wallingford (1765–68) and Bridgnorth (1768–77).

Back to Madras in 1775, Pigot tried to suppress the widespread corruption in the public services. But in doing so he only made enemies. Taking advantage of disagreement about his proposal to restore the ruler of of Tanjore (now Thanjavur), the government was taken over by the majority of the council, and Pigot was imprisoned. Although the court of directors ordered the restoration of Pigot, he died before the order arrived from London.