Triumphs and Tragedies
Today's blog relates to a man who arrived in the colonies in 1841, intending to be a labourer, became a member of Ludwig Leichardt's first expedition where he was lucky to survive several indigenous altercations. He went on to become a renowned botanist and land manager, married the first Australian born novelist, survived more tragedy and eventually called Rookwood "home". Who was this person? JAMES SNOWDEN CALVERT James was born in 1825 at Otley, Yorkshire, England, the son of William Calvert, and his wife Ann. An education in Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham set up a wanderlust for the young man and in 1841 he boarded the ship the "Sir Edward Paget". Another young man with a heart for exploration, even though he had poor eyesight and little exploratory skills, was also on board; his name - Ludwig Leichardt. James headed north to a relative's property for work but when he heard that Leichardt was looking for people to accompany him on an inland exp...