author
George Gawler
1796–1869
A soldier, colonial governor, and energetic reformer, he is best remembered for helping shape the early years of South Australia. His life ranged from the Napoleonic wars to public service and later campaigns for social and religious causes.
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About the author
Born in 1795 and often listed as 1796 in older reference works, George Gawler was a British army officer who served in the Peninsular War and at Waterloo before moving into colonial administration. He became the second Governor of South Australia in 1838, taking on the difficult task of stabilizing a very young colony.
During his time in South Australia, he pushed ahead with roads, public buildings, police, and other practical measures that helped the settlement function, though his spending also brought heavy criticism from officials in Britain. He was recalled in 1841, but his governorship left a strong mark on the colony's early development.
After returning to England, Gawler remained active in public and religious life. He wrote and spoke on questions of colonization and later supported plans connected with Jewish settlement in Palestine, showing the same restless, interventionist spirit that had shaped his career.