William Paterson (explorer)
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16 February 1804 – 24 March 1808
18 December 1794 – 19 September 1795
24 March 1806 – 1 January 1808
Colonel William Paterson (17 August 1755 – 21 June 1810) was a Scottish soldier, explorer, and botanist best known for leading early settlement in Tasmania. The standard author abbreviation Paterson is used to indicate this individual as the author when citing a botanical name.[1]
Contents
[edit] Biography
[edit] Early years
A native of Montrose, Scotland, Paterson was sent to the Cape by the wealthy and eccentric Countess of Strathmore to collect plants, he arrived in Table Bay on board the "Houghton" in May 1777. He made four trips into the interior between May 1777 and March 1780, when he departed.
[edit] Career
Paterson was originally commissioned in the 98th Regiment of Foot, but transferred to the 73rd Regiment of Foot after the 98th's disbandment in 1787.
In 1794, Lieutenant-Colonel William Paterson, from the New South Wales Corps, granted more land and convict servants to the military, giving them great powers and undermining Governor Arthur Phillip's good naval government.
He led an expedition to the Hunter Valley in 1801 and up the Paterson River (later named in his honour by Governor King).
Between 1804 and 1808 he was the Lieutenant Governor of the north of Van Diemen's Land.
In 1804 he led an expedition to Port Dalrymple, Tasmania, exploring the Tamar River and going up the North Esk River farther than anyone previously had managed to do.
In 1806 his duties as commander of the New South Wales Corps required him to return to Sydney, but he came back in 1807, and stayed until December 1808. During this time he corresponded regularly with the eminent naturalist Sir Joseph Banks, sending a number of specimens.
[edit] Personal life
Paterson was appointed Lieutenant Governor of New South Wales on 1 January 1809, and was replaced by Lachlan Macquarie at the end of the year. His health had begun to decline; he left Sydney on 12 May 1810, but died on board ship while off Cape Horn just a few weeks later.
His widow Elizabeth married Francis Grose in April 1814, but he died a month later.
[edit] Bibliography
[edit] References
[edit] External links
Francis Grose Lieutenant Governor of New South Wales
1794 - 1795 Succeeded by
Office Vacant
Office Vacant Lieutenant Governor of New South Wales
1806 - 1808 Succeeded by
George Johnston
