A guide to Sir George Grey's career as soldier, explorer, administrator, statesman, thinker, and dreamer.
1812 Born at Lisbon April 14, during the Peninsular War.
1829 Gazetted from Sandhurst to the 83rd Regiment Foot, and served to a captaincy.
1837 Sailed from Plymouth June 20, on the ship 'Beagle,' as leader of a
Government expedition to explore North-West Australia. Engaged in
this work, and as Resident at King George's Sound, until 1840.
1841 Named to the Governorship of South Australia, aged 29; held it
until 1845, and during that period rescued the Colony from a state
of chaos, getting it on the high road to prosperity.
1845 Appointed Governor of New Zealand, when the first Maori War was raging. Established peace and authority, and continued in office until 1854. Refused to proclaim the constitution first designed by the British Government and Parliament for New Zealand, and was given power to draw up another.
1854 First Governorship of Cape Colony, to 1859. Two dramatic events of
it were the rising of the Kaffirs, at the call of a girl regarded
as a Messiah; and the deflection to India, where the Mutiny had
broken out, of the troops on their way to Lord Elgin in China.
1859 Re-called from the Cape, because the Government at home
disapproved of his action in endeavouring to federate South
Africa. Reinstated, but with orders to drop his federation
plans; and remained at Cape Town until 1861.
1861 Second Governorship of New Zealand, to 1867. Second Maori War.
1868 Active in English public life to 1890; and in Australasian affairs from 1870 to 1894.