author
William John Wills
1834–1861
A skilled surveyor and astronomer, he became one of the central figures in the tragic Burke and Wills expedition, the first journey to cross Australia from south to north. His short life joined scientific curiosity, endurance, and one of the most famous stories in Australian exploration.
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About the author
Born in Totnes, Devon, on January 5, 1834, he trained in surveying and also studied medicine for a time before moving to Australia in the early 1850s. In Victoria he worked as a surveyor and developed strong skills in astronomy and navigation, which helped earn him a place on the Burke and Wills expedition.
He served as surveyor, astronomer, and effectively one of the expedition's key scientific minds. The party made the first south-to-north crossing of the Australian continent, reaching the far north in 1861, but the return journey ended in disaster. He died near Cooper Creek in June 1861, only 27 years old.
Though his life was brief, his journals and observations helped secure his place in the history of Australian exploration. He is remembered not just for hardship and tragedy, but for competence, discipline, and the thoughtful record he left behind.