Austin, Robert (1825 - 1905)

Born Epping Forest, Essex, England, 1825; d. Thornborough (not Brisbane as in some refs), Qld, 24 Feb. 1905

Arrived Australind, W.A., Dec. 1840; govt surveyor, 1847-60; led expedition via Cowcowing Lake, Mt Magnet, Mt Murchison & down Murchison R. to Geraldine mine, W.A., 21 June to 25 Nov. 1854 (collection of c. 50 plants & birds, most by Kenneth Brown); later surveyed around Toodyay & Northam.

Published journal 1855; also J. Roy. Geogr. Soc. 26: 235-274 (1856).

In 1860 visited Singapore, then moved to Qld where Govt Surveyor, then Commissioner of Crown Lands; in 1891 sergeant-at-arms, Qld parliament.

Portrait: frontispiece - Bridge et al. (2009) The Finest Gold Fields in the World: The Austin Expedition to the Murchison in 1854, Hesperian Press, Carlisle, WA. .

Source: George, A.S. (2009) Australian Botanist's Companion, Four Gables Press, WA. [consult for source references]