John Roper

John Roper (29 February 1824 – 15 September 1895 ) was an English explorer in Australia, remembered as the last survivor of Ludwig Leichhardt's successful expedition from Brisbane, Queensland, to Port Essington, Northern Territory in 1844–45.

History

Roper was born at Gayton Thorpe, Norfolk, England. and was educated at schools in Fakenham and Lynn.

He arrived in Australia in 1843, first settling in the Hunter River, managing a station for Alexander Campbell Walker. He joined Leichhardt's party in 1844, the two sharing expenses.

He returned to Sydney in 1846 with Leichhardt, then settled in Albury, where he became clerk of petty sessions in 1847, magistrate in 1854, and mayor in 1862. From 1880 to around 1893 he was an inspector of stock at Merriwa.

He died of pleurisy at his home, "Rosebery Park", Merriwa, aged 71. Roper River, which runs east through the Northern Territory into the Gulf of Carpentaria, and Roper Bar, where they effected a crossing