Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Moor, Ralph Denham Rayment
MOOR, Sir RALPH DENHAM RAYMENT (1860–1909), first high commissioner of Southern Nigeria, born on 31 July 1860 at The Lodge, Furneux Pelham, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, was son of William Henry Moor, surgeon, by his wife Sarah Pears. Educated privately, and destined for business, he engaged in 1880-1 as a learner in the tea trade. On 26 Oct. 1882 he entered the royal Irish constabulary as a cadet, and becoming in due course a district inspector resigned on private grounds on 9 Feb. 1801.
In March 1801 Moor took service under Sir Claude Macdonald, the consul-general of the Oil Rivers Protectorate, as commandant of constabulary in the protectorate. Of a striking personality, he soon made his mark. In July 1802 he was appointed by the foreign office vice-consul for the Oil Rivers district, and from 6 Sept. 1802 to 15 Feb. 1803 acted as commissioner. During January 1806 he served the office of consul, and on 1 Feb. 1806, when the district was formed into the Niger Coast Protectorate, he was made commissioner and consul-general for the territory, and consul for the Cameroons and Fernando Po.
When in 1900 the protectorate passed from the foreign office to the colonial office. Moor became high commissioner of Sonthern Nigeria and laid the foundations of the new administration, which developed into the present flourishing colony; his health failing, he retired on a pension on 1 Oct. 1903. He then allied himself with Sir Alfred Jones [q. v. Suppl. II]; he gave valuable advice on West African affairs, and aided in the development of the British Cotton Growing Association. He also served on certain committees at the nomination of the secretary of state.
He was found dead in bed at his residence, the Homestead, Barnes, on 14 Sept. 1909; the inquest pointed to suicide during temporary insanity. He was buried at the new Barnes cemetery.
Moor became C.M.G. in 1895 and K.C.M.O. in 1807. He married in 1898 Adrienne, widow of J. Burns.
[The Times, 15, 16, 17 Sept. 1909; Foreign Office List, 1908; official information; personal knowledge.]