Richard Bourke
Sir Richard Bourke | |
|---|---|
 Portrait by Martin Archer Shee, c. 1837–1850 | |
| 8th Governor of New South Wales | |
| In office 3 December 1831 – 5 December 1837 | |
| Monarchs | William IV Queen Victoria |
| Preceded by | Sir Ralph Darling |
| Succeeded by | George Gipps |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 May 1777 Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | 12 August 1855 (aged 78) County Limerick, Ireland |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Jane Bourke |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Great Britain United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | British Army |
Years of service | 1798–1855 |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath |
Sir Richard Bourke (4 May 1777 – 12 August 1855) was a British Army officer and colonial administrator who served as the governor of New South Wales from 1831 to 1837. As a lifelong Whig (liberal), he encouraged the emancipation of convicts and helped bring forward the ending of penal transportation to Australia. In this, he faced strong opposition from the landlord establishment and its press. He approved a new settlement on the Yarra River, and named it Melbourne, in honour of the incumbent British prime minister, Lord Melbourne.