Anthony Abell

Sir Anthony Abell KCMG DK
Abell, c. 1954
3rd Governor of Sarawak
In office 4 April 1950 – 14 November 1959
Monarchs	George VI Elizabeth II
Preceded by	Duncan Stewart
Succeeded by	Alexander Waddell
Personal details
Born	Anthony Foster Abell (1906-12-11)11 December 1906 Bridgnorth, Shropshire
Died	8 October 1994(1994-10-08) (aged 87) Winchester, Hampshire
Relations	George Abell (brother) John Abell (nephew) Timothy Abell (nephew) Ted Sale (uncle)
Education	Repton School Magdalen College, Oxford
Occupation	Colonial administrator

Anthony Foster Abell (11 December 1906 – 8 October 1994) was a British colonial administrator who served as the governor of Sarawak and concurrently as high commissioner to Brunei from 1950 to 1959. With nine years in office, he held the record for the longest tenure.^[1]

During his time in Brunei, Abell faced significant challenges in managing the territory's evolving administration while navigating the complex political dynamics of British interests. Appointed to oversee political reforms in Brunei in the same year that Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III ascended to the throne, Abell's role was pivotal. However, despite his considerable skill and moral integrity, he struggled to align with Brunei's aspirations and was often outmanoeuvred by Omar Ali Saifuddien. His tenure ended shortly after the sultan succeeded in securing Brunei's first written constitution in 1959, which granted Brunei's greater executive authority. Though Abell was unable to implement his intended reforms, he left Brunei disillusioned but continued to play a significant role in Brunei–United Kingdom relations during this critical period.^[2]