William Light
William Light | |
|---|---|
 Self-portrait, c. 1815 | |
| Surveyor General of South Australia | |
| In office 28 December 1836 – 21 June 1838 | |
| Preceded by | office established |
| Succeeded by | George Owen Ormsby (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 April 1786 |
| Died | 6 October 1839 (aged 53) |
| Parent(s) | Francis Light and Martinha Rozells |
| Occupation | Surveyor, town planner, military officer |
Known for | Planning the city of Adelaide |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Great Britain United Kingdom Spanish Liberals |
| Branch/service | Royal Navy British Army Spanish militia |
Years of service | 1799–1823 |
| Rank | Brevet Major (United Kingdom) Lieutenant colonel (Spain) |
| Unit | 4th Dragoons 3rd Regiment of Foot Vigo militia |
| Battles/wars | |
Lieutenant-Colonel William Light (27 April 1786 – 6 October 1839) was a British military officer and colonial administrator. He was the first Surveyor-General of the new British Province of South Australia, known for choosing the site of the colony's capital, Adelaide, and for designing the layout of its streets, six city squares, gardens and the figure-eight Adelaide Park Lands, in a plan later sometimes referred to as Light's Vision.