Thomas Brisbane

British Army general

Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane (July 23, 1773 – January 27, 1860) was the sixth Governor of New South Wales.[1] Brisbane was very interested in astronomy and brought two assistant astronomers to Australia with him. When he went back to England, he left his books, telescopes and other equipment behind as gift, and these were the beginnings of the Sydney Observatory.[2]

Sir

Thomas Brisbane
Sir Thomas Brisbane
6th Governor of New South Wales
In office
1 December 1821 – 1 December 1825
Preceded byLachlan Macquarie
Succeeded byRalph Darling
Personal details
Born(1773-07-23)July 23, 1773
Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland
Died27 January 1860(1860-01-27) (aged 86)
Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland
Spouse(s)Anna Maria Makdougall
OccupationSoldier

The Brisbane River was named after Sir Thomas, and the capital city of Queensland, takes its name from the river.

References change

  1. Heydon, J. D. (1966). "Brisbane, Sir Thomas Makdougall (1773–1860)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Melbourne University Press. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 25 June 2012 – via National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
  2. "Sir Thomas Brisbane: The Star-Gazing Governor". smp.uq.edu.au. 2012. Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2012.