Robert Campbell (5 October 1804 – 30 March 1859) was an early opponent ofpenal transportation and an Australian politician,Colonial Treasurer of New South Wales. He was also an elected as a member of theNew South Wales Legislative Council and later, theNew South Wales Legislative Assembly.
Campbell was the second son ofRobert Campbell and born at Campbell's Wharf,The Rocks in Sydney, Australia. In 1810, his parents sent him toPimlico, London, England to be educated and he returned in 1819.[1]
In 1827, Campbell joined his father's company Campbell and Co. One of his first duties was in January 1828 to travel to England on company business on the barqueLady Blackwood (John Dibbs, Master),[2] returning to Sydney in March 1830, again on theLady Blackwood. In 1829, (in England) he became active in theanti-transportation campaign. In the early 1830s, he refused to sit on a jury that included emancipists in order to draw attention to this cause and as a result became the leader of the campaign. In 1835, he had married Annie Sophia, daughter of Edward Riley (1784-1825), a merchant and pastoralist in the Sydney area.[3]
In response to an 1846 parliamentary committee recommendation that transportation (which had ceased in 1840) be recommenced, Campbell organized a protest meeting. A petition in opposition to transportation was signed by some 6800 persons was presented to theLegislative Council and theBritish Government. Nevertheless, the convict ship, theHashemy, arrived in 1849, but further meetings chaired by Campbell prevented more convicts being sent to Sydney.[3]
In 1851, Campbell was elected to the Legislative Council representing theCity of Sydney. In 1856, he was elected to the first Legislative Assembly. He was Colonial Treasurer from August to October 1856 and from January 1858 until his death.
He became ill and died at his father's property atDuntroon in what is nowCanberra.[1]
His daughter was married toEdward Wolstenholme Ward.[4]
| New South Wales Legislative Council | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member for City of Sydney 1851 – 1856 With:William Wentworth /Henry Parkes John Lamb /William Thurlow /James Wilshire | Original Council abolished |
| New South Wales Legislative Assembly | ||
| New assembly | Member for Sydney City 1856 – 1859 With:Henry Parkes /William Dalley /Robert Tooth James Wilshire /George Thornton Charles Cowper | District abolished |
