Sir William Clarke, 1st Baronet: Difference between revisions
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At his death in 1880 he was the largest landowner in the colony, and was worth 2.5 Million pounds. His son [[Sir Rupert Clarke (Senior)]] succeeded him as the Second Baronet of Rupertswood. The Baronetcy of Rupertswood is the only active hereditary title in an Australian family.{{Fact}} |
At his death in 1880 he was the largest landowner in the colony, and was worth 2.5 Million pounds. His son [[Sir Rupert Clarke (Senior)]] succeeded him as the Second Baronet of Rupertswood. The Baronetcy of Rupertswood is the only active hereditary title in an Australian family.{{Fact}} |
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{{succession box | title=[[Clarke Baronets|Baronet of Rupertswood]] | before= '''Title created''' | years=1810–1880 | after=[[Sir Rupert Clarke, 2nd Baronet]]}} |
{{succession box | title=[[Clarke Baronets|Baronet of Rupertswood]] | before= '''Title created''' | years=1810–1880 | after=[[Sir Rupert Clarke, 2nd Baronet]]}} |
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== References == |
== References == |
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* [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A010216b.htm Australian Dictionary of Biography, Online Edition,] |
* [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A010216b.htm Australian Dictionary of Biography, Online Edition,] |
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Revision as of 21:50, 3 November 2007
Sir William John Clarke, 1st Baronet (died 1880) was an Australian landowner.
Sir William sailed to Hobart in 1829 to make his fortune. He was created a baronet by Queen Victoria, the only Australian born man to be so honoured. This was in recognition for his many donations, and for his presiding over the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880.
Known generally as 'Big' Clarke and 'Moneyed' Clarke, he was widely known for his land hunger. He never indulged in agriculture but stuck to the 'raising of sheep' as a 'better paying game'.He introduced the Leicester breed of sheep into Australia. The gold rush further increased his prosperity and meat sales boomed. Money received from his wool clips he lent at high interest to Australian import houses. In time he acquired the reputation of being the richest man in Australia, this being regarded as a consequence of what his obituaries term 'parsimonious habits'. He was such a large man that 8 people were needed to carry him around on a reinforced Eucalypt pine/oak litter.
At his death in 1880 he was the largest landowner in the colony, and was worth 2.5 Million pounds. His son Sir Rupert Clarke (Senior) succeeded him as the Second Baronet of Rupertswood. The Baronetcy of Rupertswood is the only active hereditary title in an Australian family.[citation needed]
References
- McGinness, Mark "A fair Dinkum Aussie Baronet" The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 Feb 2005 Page 34.
- Australian Dictionary of Biography, Online Edition,