Biographical entry Townson, Robert (1762? - 1827)

Summary

Robert Townson arrived in Sydney in 1807 after travelling widely as a gentleman scholar in Europe. He was hailed as the most eminent scholar in the young colony. Unfortunately, he had difficulties with the administration and did little science after his arrival.

Archival resources

Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales

• Robert Townson - Records, 1807 - 1827; Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales. Details

Published resources

Book Sections

• Goodin, V. W. E., 'Townson, Robert (1763-1827), scholar, scientist and settler', in Douglas Pike (ed.), Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol. 2, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1967, pp. 537-538. Also available at http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A020490b.htm. Details

Journal Articles

• Cambage, R.H., 'Biographical Sketches of Some of the Members of the Philosophical Society of Australasia', Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales, vol. lv, 1921, pp. xxxiii-xlii. Details

Online Resources

• 'Townson, Robert', Trove, National Library of Australia, 2009, http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-1465345. Details