Career
Severn joined the colonial civil service in British Malaya in 1894 and worked under the Governor of the Straits Settlements. In 1912 he became Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong and remained in the post until 1925. During this period Severn governed Hong Kong on various occasions as an acting administrator during the transition period to a new Governor.
Sir Claud Severn was born on 9 September 1869 in Adelaide, South Australia to Walter Severn (1830－1904) and Mary Dalrymple Fergusson (1845-1916).
His mother was the daughter of Sir Charles Dalrymple Fergusson, 5th Baronet. Severn went to Street Peter"s College, Adelaide, studied Latin and chemistry at the University of Adelaide.
He later graduated from University of Cambridge with a Bachelor in 1890 and Master of Arts in 1913. Severn Road, which is located on Mount Gough in Hong Kong, was named after him.
The official residence of the Secretary for Justice (Hong Kong) is located at 19 Severn Road.
