Charles Scrivener

Charles Robert Scrivener (born November 2, 1855 in Windsor , New South Wales , † September 26, 1923 in Killara (now a suburb of Sydney )) was an Australian geodesist (surveyor). He measured numerous areas in New South Wales. His results served as the basis for determining the location of the newly built capital Canberra and the location of the Australian Capital Territory .

He was employed by the New South Wales State Department of Land in 1876 and trained as a geodesist from 1877 to 1879. In 1880 he passed the license exam with the best possible result. His work was instrumental in opening up the hilly hinterland of New South Wales. In 1904 he was commissioned to determine the location for a new capital. Based on his recommendations and detailed topographical maps, Parliament chose the area around Dalgety on the Snowy River . However, New South Wales did not accept this decision and threatened to leave the Australian Confederation because this location was too close to Melbourne .

After further lengthy negotiations, Parliament finally decided in October 1908 in favor of the Canberra- Yass - Lake George triangle . Scrivener was hired to survey four possible locations in the area. He recommended the catchment areas of the Cotter River , the Molonglo River and the Queanbeyan River . New South Wales then ceded the capital territory on January 1, 1910. Scrivener's maps have been sent to participants in the Canberra urban development competition around the world.

In 1910, Scrivener was named the first director of the Australian Federal Land Survey. He retired in 1915 and died eight years later. The Scrivener Dam , which dams Lake Burley Griffin in downtown Canberra, is named after him.

literature

• Terry G. Birtles: Scrivener, Charles Robert (1855-1923) . In: Douglas Pike (Ed.): Australian Dictionary of Biography . Volume 11. Melbourne University Press, Carlton (Victoria) 1988, ISBN 0-522-84380-8 (English).