William Champ

William Thomas Napier Champ (15 April 1808 – 25 August 1892) was a British soldier and Colonial Australian politician and penal administrator, who served as the first Premier of Tasmania from 1856 to 1857.

Early life Champ was born in Maldon, Essex, England. He joined the army as an ensign when he was 18 years old and later became an adjutant.

Army and police career Champ was serving with the 63rd Regiment of Foot as an ensign by 1826 and was posted with them to Sydney, Colony of New South Wales in October 1828. Some of the regiment was detached as a garrison force for the Macquarie Harbour Penal Station, Van Diemens Land (now Tasmania) in 1829, and Champ was amongst them.

Champ held office of premier for 117 days, until 26 February 1857. Shortly into his term, his ministry collapsed and Champ became unable to govern. He was briefly the opposition leader in 1857 but resigned shortly after.

He later entered politics in Victoria, becoming a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for East Bourke Boroughs from April 1871 until May 1873. He died in Melbourne, Victoria on 25 August 1892.