List of colonial governors in 1872

This is a list of the governors of colonies, protectorates, or other dependencies in 1872. Where applicable, native rulers are also listed.

Denmark

• Danish West Indies - Frantz Ernst Bille (until July), then Johan August Stakemann (until September), then Janus August Garde (1872-1881)

Portugal

• Angola – José Maria da Ponte e Horta, Governor-General of Angola (1870–1873)

United Kingdom

• Ceylon – Sir Hercules Robinson (until January), then William Henry Gregory (from March)
• Hong Kong – Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell (until April), then Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy
• Jamaica – Sir John Peter Grant, Governor of Jamaica (1866–1874)
• Malta Colony
  1. Patrick Grant, Governor of Malta (1867–1872)
  2. Charles van Straubenzee, Governor of Malta (1872–1878)
• New South Wales
  1. Somerset Lowry-Corry, Lord Belmore, Governor of New South Wales (1868–1872)
  2. Hercules Robinson, Lord Rosmead, Governor of New South Wales (1872–1879)
• Queensland – George Phipps, Lord Normanby, Governor of Queensland (1871–1874)
• Tasmania – Sir Charles Du Cane, Governor of Tasmania (1869–1874)
• South Australia – Sir James Fergusson, Bt, Governor of South Australia (1869–1873)
• Victoria – John Manners-Sutton, Lord Canterbury, Governor of Victoria (1866–1873)
• Western Australia – Major Frederick Weld, Governor of Western Australia (1869–1875)