Home › H › Hill (SIR ROWLAND the author)

Hill (SIR ROWLAND the author)

SIR ROWLAND, the author of the penny-postage system; born in Kidderminster, England, Dec. 3, 1795.

After agitating, for several years, his scheme regarding a reform of the old postal and franking systems, he, in 1842, succeeded in get getting it carried into effect. It at once produced great results, and in 1846 the British public presented him with a testimonial valued at $67,000 .

In 1854 he was made chief secretary of the English Postoffice, and held that position till 1864. In the same year he was voted a sum of $100,000 by Parliament, the Albert gold medal, Society of Arts, and the degree of D. C. L. He was the originator of the money-order system and of postoffice savings-banks. He was knighted in 1860. He died in Hampstead, near London, Aug. 27, 1879.