Drawing on unrivalled access to original correspondence, reports, newspapers and contemporary accounts, Penang: The Fourth Presidency of India presents an in-depth and compelling narrative of a fascinating story. The second of a four-volume series, the focus here is the development of major structures and institutions: Fort Cornwallis, St Georges Church, the Penang Free School, the Public Library and the Spice and Botanic Gardens, and the forces of nature which conspired to thwart the settlement: fire and erosion of the seafront. Beautifully illustrated with paintings, sketches, engravings and maps many previously unpublished this and the accompanying volumes will be the authoritative reference for historians and general readers for generations to come.