Macquarie, Lachlan

Macquarie, Lachlan (məkwä`rē), 1761–1824, governor (1809–21) of the British colonies in Australia. Sent to replace the corrupt rule of the officers of the original convict guard, he established a sensible and humane administration, stressing public building, land reform, and fair treatment of convicts and freedmen.

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Macquarie, Lachlan

(born Jan. 31, 1761, Ulva, Argyllshire, Scot.—died July 1, 1824, London, Eng.) British soldier and colonial governor. He served with the British army in North America, Europe, the West Indies, and India; in 1809 he was appointed governor of New South Wales, Australia, where he replaced the corrupt military corps that had overthrown the previous governor, William Bligh. He began a program of public works construction and town planning that gave opportunities to Emancipists (freed convicts), established the colony's currency, and encouraged exploration and settlement. His policy favouring Emancipist agriculture angered the large landowners and sheep farmers (Exclusionists), and he was recalled in 1821.