Author(s): M.H. Ellis

Biography

Today he lives on in the names of a bank, a university, a dictionary and places across Australia. But who was Lachlan Macquarie? Scottish-born Macquarie was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor of New South Wales on New Year's Day, 1810, and held office for the next 12 years. A controversial figure, his time in New South Wales encompassed both the establishment of great public works and bitter disputes, such as with the powerful local landowner John Macarthur (a ringleader of the Rum Rebellion) and the British Commissioner Bigge, who was sent to investigate Macquarie. He established new towns beyond the settlement at Sydney Cove, instituted a vigorous and extensive program of public building, and appointed the convict Francis Greenway civil architect. Macquarie was convinced of the importance of the role of ex-convicts in building the new colony. In recognition of this, he made two emancipists magistrates early in his career. His policy towards the indigenous people also expressed a humanitarian view for the times, and included the establishment of Blacktown. M.H. Ellis paints a vivid picture of this period of Australia's history, when a governor's word was law, and gives a detailed account of the life of this complex and important historical figure.