(1773 - 1860)

Born in 1773, Brisbane enlisted in the British Navy at age seventeen, and due to his interest in navigational astronomy he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1812. He saw service in the Napoleonic Wars, and following the close of hostilities bad debts forced him to seek employment, preferably where he could carry out astronomy experiments.

With supporters such as Sir Joseph Banks and the Duke of Wellington he was appointed as Lachlan Macquarie's successor as Governor of New South Wales in 1821.

Upon his arrival he immediately introduced new policies for management of convicts, land grants and finance. In direct contrast to Lachlan Macquarie, he widely sought advice from his officials and believed that the details of organisation should be left with his subordinates, thus allowing them more independence than they ever had before.

He was a supporter of free speech and press freedom, and allowed certain press reforms which led to the establishment of the 'Australian' as one of the first competitive papers. He was also a proponent of trial by jury, and the first legislative council met during his reign as Governor.

Not suited to the intrigues of colonial politics, Brisbane isolated himself and his family in Parramatta, where he carried out a number of astronomy experiments. His policy reforms were overturned by the Colonial government and he was recalled in 1825. Returning to his native Scotland he continued his scientific work, and managed his estates until his death in 1860.

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