Sir James Cosmo Melvill (8 June 1792 – 23 July 1861) was a British administrator who served as the last secretary of the East India Company. Life Born at Guernsey, he was the third but eldest surviving son of Philip Melvill (1762–1811), later lieutenant-governor of Pendennis Castle in Cornwall, by his wife, Elizabeth Carey (died 1844), youngest daughter of Peter Dobrée of Beauregarde, Guernsey. Henry Melvill, Philip Melvill and Sir Peter Melvill were his younger brothers. He entered the home service of the East India Company in February 1808. Melvill rose rapidly to the top permanent position at East India House. In 1824 he was appointed auditor of Indian accounts. While in this position he gave evidence in 1830 before a parliamentary committee, defending the company's conduct of its China trade from an attack by William Huskisson; and again in 1832 before another committee on Indian affairs in regard to the accounts of the company. In 1834 he became financial secretary, and in 1836 chief secretary, a post which he held until the termination of the company's existence as a governing body in 1858. He once lived at Cannon Hall, Hampstead. After his retirement from the service of the company, Melvill was appointed government director of Indian railways. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society on 14 January 1841, and was created a KCB on 5 September 1853. Melvill died at Tandridge Court, near Godstone in Surrey, on 23 July 1861. Family In March 1815 Melvill married Hester Jean Frances (died 10 April 1864), youngest daughter of William Marmaduke Sellon of Harlesden in Middlesex. They had nine children and at least 28 grandchildren: Philip Melvill (1817–1854), eldest son, administrator for the East India Company. Eventually became the Chief Commissioner for affairs in the Punjab in 1853. Married in 1845 Emily Jane Hogg. Father to Emily Hester Melvill, Alice Philippa Melvill and Philip Lawrence Melvill. James Cosmo Melvill (1821–1880), the second son, administrator in British India. Later became Assistant Under-Secretary of State for India following the termination of the East India Trading Company. Married in 1844 Eliza Jane Hardcastle. Father to James Cosmo Melvill, Marion Eliza Melvill, Evelyn Hester Melvill, Alfred Hardcastle Melvill, the Rev. Arthur Hardcastle Melvill, Emma Wilhelmina Jean Melvill, Selina Emily Melvill and Edith Mary Melvill. Sir William Henry Melvill (1827–1911), the third son, was a barrister. Called to the Bar of Lincoln's Inn and practised