Sir Francis Bernard, 1st Baronet (July 12, 1712 – June 16, 1779) was a British colonial administrator who served as Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay from 1760 to 1769. His strict enforcement of British policies, including the Stamp Act, fueled colonial resistance and contributed to the tensions leading to the American Revolution. Born in England, he studied at Oxford and later entered law. After serving as Governor of New Jersey, he was appointed to Massachusetts, where his actions provoked widespread opposition. He was recalled to Britain in 1769 and later created a baronet. His legacy remains controversial, as he is seen as a symbol of British inflexibility. Due to limited sources, some details of his life are not fully documented.
