Francis Light

Francis Light
A statue dedicated to Light at Fort Cornwallis in George Town, Penang
Bornc.1740
Died21 October 1794(1794-10-21) (aged 53–54)
Occupation(s)Sailor, explorer
Known forFounding Penang and George Town
ChildrenWilliam Light

Francis Light (c.1740 – 21 October 1794) was a British sailor and explorer best known for founding the colony of Penang and its capital city of George Town in 1786. Light was the father of William Light, who founded the city of Adelaide in South Australia in 1836.