Background
Clarke was born in Somersetshire, England, the second son of William Clarke, of Saint Botolph, Aldgate, London, and Sarah nee Turner, of Weston Zoyland, in Somersetshire.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
William Clarke
Edit ProfileMember of the Victorian Legislative Council
Career
He settled in Tasmania in 1840, and subsequently acquired extensive pastoral property in that colony, and in Victoria, South Australia, and New Zealand. Clarke was member for the Southern Province in the Legislative Council. Known generally as "Big" Clarke and "Moneyed" Clarke, he was widely known for his land hunger.
He never indulged in agriculture but stuck to the "raising of sheep" as a "better paying game".
He introduced the Leicester breed of sheep into Australia. The gold rush further increased his prosperity and meat sales boomed.
Money received from his wool clips he lent at high interest to Australian import houses. In time he acquired the reputation of being the richest man in Australia, this being regarded as a consequence of what his obituaries term "parsimonious habits".
He was such a large man that 8 people were needed to carry him around on a reinforced Eucalypt pine/oak litter.
Clarke died in Essendon, Victoria on 13 January 1874.
-
Born
-
Died
January 13, 1874 (aged 68) -
Nationality
Australian