Benjamin George HoldsworthCIE (31 July 1892 – 24 February 1943) was an Indian civil servant and administrator who served as the DiwanofPudukkottai state from 1931 to 1933.
In November 1931, Holdsworth was appointed Diwan of Pudukkottai,[1] and he served from 1931 to 1934. Holdsworth was responsible for the creation of the Holdsworth DaminPudukkottai, which is named after him.[2] The Holdsworth Park in the princely state is also named after Holdsworth.[3]
Holdsworth was relieved in 1934 and succeeded by Alexander Tottenham, of whom, Holdsworth remarked that the people of Pudukkottai state were fortunate to get as Diwan.[4]
In 1942, Holdsworth was appointed Secretary to the Indian Food Department and served until his death. Holdsworth died on 24 February 1943 at the age of fifty-one, following complications from a tooth infection; there was a shortage of penicillin due to supplies being redirected for the war effort. He is buried in New Delhi.
Holdsworth was the eldest of four children. His two younger brothers, Joseph and Wesley, were both killed in WWI. His sister was called Hilda.
In 1920, Holdsworth married Ellen May, daughter of James Hill of Poltimore. The couple had one son, Peter, who rose to the rank of Brigadier in the British Army, and one daughter, Pamela.
