William Lonsdale

William Lonsdale (2 October 1799 – 28 March 1864) was a British army captain in colonial Australia who supervised the founding of the official settlement at Port Phillip (later named Melbourne) from 1836. He went on to serve under the superintendent (and later Lieutenant Governor) La Trobe from 1839 to 1854.

Early life Lonsdale was born in Den Helder, on a salary of 900 pounds. He served in the Victorian Legislative Council from 31 October 1851 to 1853, the turbulent years of the gold rushes.

During the period 1836 to 1854, the Lonsdale family increased in number (two dying in infancy) - Liona Kingsown b:1838, Edgar b:1839, Ellen Peveril b:1842 d:1842, William b:1843, Ralph Peveril b:1847 d:1852, Ethilda Wagstaffe b:1845, Rupert Latrobe b:1849.

Lonsdale Street, in the Melbourne central business district is named in his honour and his portrait is in the State Library of New South Wales

Later life Lonsdale's last public office was Colonial Treasurer on a salary of 1500 pounds from July 1853 until July 1854 when he followed LaTrobe's example, retiring and returning to England. In England the Lonsdale's had two more children - Maude Smythe b:1858 and Oswald b:1860. William died in London on 28 March 1864 and was survived by his widow, 4 sons and 4 daughters.