James Calvert

Background

Calvert was born in Otley, Yorkshire, England, and received his schooling in Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and London, where his family successively resided after leaving the Borders.

Career

They arrived in Australia in 1841. The result was that Calvert agreed to accompany Leichhardt on his first expedition, providing his own horses and outfit. Details of the expedition were later published by Leichhardt, who wrote: "The only one who behaved perfectly, with few exceptions, was a young man, Mr.

Calvert, who came in the same boat with me from England".

Soon after the arrival of Sir William Denison as governor he was placed on the commission of the peace at Sydney. Calvert died in New South Wales on 22 July 1884.

Achievements

• The party left Moreton Bay settlement (Brisbane) in 1844 for Portuguese Essington, on the north coast, and after many hardships and difficulties, including numerous conflicts with Aborigines, accomplished their mission and returned to Sydney late in 1845. Calvert was an exhibitor at the earlier exhibitions in London and Paris, and at the 1862 International Exhibition, London, was awarded a silver medal for his collection of Australian paper-making materials.

Connections

friendship:

Edward Paget