William Henry Adams

William Henry Adams (1809 – 29 August 1865)[1] was a British politician (Conservative Party), lawyer and colonial judge.

[3] He was re-elected unopposed in February 1859 at a by-election following his appointment as Recorder of Derby, but did not stand again at the general election in April 1859.

Immediately on his arrival in Hong Kong in September 1859, Adams was appointed acting Chief Justice to replace John Walter Hulme who had returned to England on sick leave.

In his first appearance on the bench "the general consensus of opinion seems to have been one of confidence in his firmness and ability."

Adams had been well liked in Hong Kong and a local paper carried the following eulogy: "It is almost too painful for us to speak of his many estimable qualities, at a time when admiration ought properly give way to grief.