Leonard (Len) Beadell OAM BEM
Beadell was a surveyor, road builder, bushman, artist and author, responsible for constructing over 6000 km of roads and opening up isolated desert areas (some 2.5 million square kilometres) of central Australia from 1947 to 1963. Born in West Pennant Hills, New South Wales, Beadell is sometimes called "the last true Australian explorer".
Len Beadell marked "astrofixes" along his roads with aluminium plates on which latitude, longitude and other information was stamped. Len's legacy can be seen on many standard Australian road maps of central desert areas, showing such things as "Len Beadell's Tree", and "Len Beadell's Burnt Out Truck". Mount Beadell in Western Australia was formally named after him by the Surveyor General of Western Australia in 1958.
Beadell was a surveyor, road builder, bushman, artist and author, responsible for constructing over 6000 km of roads and opening up isolated desert areas (some 2.5 million square kilometres) of central Australia from 1947 to 1963. Born in West Pennant Hills, New South Wales, Beadell is sometimes called "the last true Australian explorer".
Len Beadell marked "astrofixes" along his roads with aluminium plates on which latitude, longitude and other information was stamped. Len's legacy can be seen on many standard Australian road maps of central desert areas, showing such things as "Len Beadell's Tree", and "Len Beadell's Burnt Out Truck". Mount Beadell in Western Australia was formally named after him by the Surveyor General of Western Australia in 1958.
Henry Dangar
Henry Dangar was a surveyor and explorer of Australia in the early period of British colonisation. He was born on 18 November 1796 in Cornwall, United Kingdom, and was the first of six brothers to emigrate as free settlers to New South Wales. Soon after arrival in April 1821 he was appointed assistant government surveyor under John Oxley, and employed in the counties of Camden and Argyle. He remained in this position until 1827, surveying among other places, the township of Newcastle. Cornish place names, scattered through the Hunter Region, mark Henry Dangar's surveys and record his deep affection for his birthplace. Mount Dangar, Dangarfield, Dangar Falls, and Dangarsleigh commemorate his name.
Dangar received two grants of land for his services as a surveyor - 300 acres, named 'Neotsfield' and 700 acres near Morpeth, known as 'Baroona'. He returned to England in 1828 and after his return he was granted land at Kingdon Ponds. He completed survey work in the Port Stephens area for the Australian Agricultural Company until 1833.
Henry Dangar was a surveyor and explorer of Australia in the early period of British colonisation. He was born on 18 November 1796 in Cornwall, United Kingdom, and was the first of six brothers to emigrate as free settlers to New South Wales. Soon after arrival in April 1821 he was appointed assistant government surveyor under John Oxley, and employed in the counties of Camden and Argyle. He remained in this position until 1827, surveying among other places, the township of Newcastle. Cornish place names, scattered through the Hunter Region, mark Henry Dangar's surveys and record his deep affection for his birthplace. Mount Dangar, Dangarfield, Dangar Falls, and Dangarsleigh commemorate his name.
Dangar received two grants of land for his services as a surveyor - 300 acres, named 'Neotsfield' and 700 acres near Morpeth, known as 'Baroona'. He returned to England in 1828 and after his return he was granted land at Kingdon Ponds. He completed survey work in the Port Stephens area for the Australian Agricultural Company until 1833.
Sir John Forrest GCMG
John Forrest, 1st Baron Forrest of Bunbury GCMG was an Australian explorer, the first Premier of Western Australia and a cabinet minister in Australia's first federal parliament.
In November 1863, he served as an apprentice to a government land surveyor named Thomas Carey. When his term of apprenticeship ended in November 1865, he became the first man born and educated in the colony to qualify as a land surveyor. He then commenced work as a surveyor with the government's Lands and Surveys Department.
As a young man, he won fame as an explorer by leading three expeditions into the interior of Western Australia, for which he was awarded the 1876 Royal Geographical Society's Patron's Medal. He was appointed Surveyor General and in 1890 became the first Premier of Western Australia, its only premier as a self-governing colony.
John Forrest, 1st Baron Forrest of Bunbury GCMG was an Australian explorer, the first Premier of Western Australia and a cabinet minister in Australia's first federal parliament.
In November 1863, he served as an apprentice to a government land surveyor named Thomas Carey. When his term of apprenticeship ended in November 1865, he became the first man born and educated in the colony to qualify as a land surveyor. He then commenced work as a surveyor with the government's Lands and Surveys Department.
As a young man, he won fame as an explorer by leading three expeditions into the interior of Western Australia, for which he was awarded the 1876 Royal Geographical Society's Patron's Medal. He was appointed Surveyor General and in 1890 became the first Premier of Western Australia, its only premier as a self-governing colony.
Alexander Forrest CMG
Alexander Forrest CMG was an explorer and surveyor of Western Australia who later became a member of parliament.
As a government surveyor, Forrest explored many areas of remote Western Australia, particularly the Kimberley region. Several of his expeditions were conducted alongside his brother, Sir John Forrest, who became the first Premier of Western Australia. In later life, Forrest served in the unicameral Legislative Council from 1887 to 1890, representing the seat of Kimberley.
In 1891, through a syndicate comprising Charles Crossland and George Leake, Alexander Forrest commenced the subdivision of what would later become the affluent Perth suburb of Peppermint Grove.
Following the advent of responsible government, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly, representing the seat of West Kimberley from 1890 until his death. He was also mayor of Perth on two occasions, from 1892 to 1895 and from 1897 to 1900.
Alexander Forrest CMG was an explorer and surveyor of Western Australia who later became a member of parliament.
As a government surveyor, Forrest explored many areas of remote Western Australia, particularly the Kimberley region. Several of his expeditions were conducted alongside his brother, Sir John Forrest, who became the first Premier of Western Australia. In later life, Forrest served in the unicameral Legislative Council from 1887 to 1890, representing the seat of Kimberley.
In 1891, through a syndicate comprising Charles Crossland and George Leake, Alexander Forrest commenced the subdivision of what would later become the affluent Perth suburb of Peppermint Grove.
Following the advent of responsible government, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly, representing the seat of West Kimberley from 1890 until his death. He was also mayor of Perth on two occasions, from 1892 to 1895 and from 1897 to 1900.
Thomas Livingstone Mitchell
Lieutenant Colonel Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell, surveyor and explorer of south-eastern Australia, was born at Grangemouth in Stirlingshire, Scotland. In 1827 he took up an appointment as Assistant Surveyor General of New South Wales. The following year he became Surveyor General and remained in this position until his death. As Surveyor General he did much to improve the quality and accuracy of surveying – a vital task in a colony where huge tracts of land were being opened up and sold to new settlers.
Mitchell also completed maps and plans of Sydney, including Darling Point, Point Piper, the city, and Port Jackson. In 1834 he was commissioned to survey a map of the Nineteen Counties. The map he produced was done with such skill and accuracy that he was awarded a knighthood in 1839 for his contribution to the surveying of Australia.
Lieutenant Colonel Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell, surveyor and explorer of south-eastern Australia, was born at Grangemouth in Stirlingshire, Scotland. In 1827 he took up an appointment as Assistant Surveyor General of New South Wales. The following year he became Surveyor General and remained in this position until his death. As Surveyor General he did much to improve the quality and accuracy of surveying – a vital task in a colony where huge tracts of land were being opened up and sold to new settlers.
Mitchell also completed maps and plans of Sydney, including Darling Point, Point Piper, the city, and Port Jackson. In 1834 he was commissioned to survey a map of the Nineteen Counties. The map he produced was done with such skill and accuracy that he was awarded a knighthood in 1839 for his contribution to the surveying of Australia.
Charles Brunsdon Fletcher
Charles Brunsdon Fletcher was an English-born Australian surveyor and journalist who served as the editor of the Sydney Morning Herald for twenty years.
After completing school, Fletcher joined the Survey Department of New South Wales as a cadet. He rose to supernumerary draftsman in 1879 and became a field assistant four-year later. Before moving to Brisbane in 1884 he worked on the Detail Survey of the City of Sydney. He obtained his Queensland survey licence in 1885 and commenced private practice. For five years from 1888 he served on the Board of Examiners of Licensed Surveyors.
Charles Brunsdon Fletcher was an English-born Australian surveyor and journalist who served as the editor of the Sydney Morning Herald for twenty years.
After completing school, Fletcher joined the Survey Department of New South Wales as a cadet. He rose to supernumerary draftsman in 1879 and became a field assistant four-year later. Before moving to Brisbane in 1884 he worked on the Detail Survey of the City of Sydney. He obtained his Queensland survey licence in 1885 and commenced private practice. For five years from 1888 he served on the Board of Examiners of Licensed Surveyors.
Robert David FitzGerald
Robert David FitzGerald was an Irish-Australian surveyor, ornithologist, botanist and poet.
FitzGerald arrived in Sydney, Australia in 1856 and was soon appointed to the Department of Lands as a draftsman for the crown. In 1868 FitzGerald was then promoted to control the roads branch of that department.
By 1873 he had become Deputy Surveyor General, and by 1874 he had been given responsibility as the Chief Mining Surveyor as well as controller of Church and School Lands for New South Wales. Following the advent of the Crown Lands Act of 1884 part of his duty was to analyse and consider the future roles of his department and ironically that analysis resulted in a number of retrenchments including his own.
Robert David FitzGerald was an Irish-Australian surveyor, ornithologist, botanist and poet.
FitzGerald arrived in Sydney, Australia in 1856 and was soon appointed to the Department of Lands as a draftsman for the crown. In 1868 FitzGerald was then promoted to control the roads branch of that department.
By 1873 he had become Deputy Surveyor General, and by 1874 he had been given responsibility as the Chief Mining Surveyor as well as controller of Church and School Lands for New South Wales. Following the advent of the Crown Lands Act of 1884 part of his duty was to analyse and consider the future roles of his department and ironically that analysis resulted in a number of retrenchments including his own.
John Septimus Roe
John Septimus Roe was the first Surveyor-General of Western Australia. He was a renowned explorer, and a Member of Western Australia's Legislative and Executive Councils for nearly 40 years.
In 1817, the Admiralty of the Navy appointed him to the surveying service in New South Wales, under the command of Captain Phillip Parker King. Roe's first survey journey as assistant to King was the King expedition of 1817, a rough survey of the northern and north-west coast of Australia.
John Septimus Roe was the first Surveyor-General of Western Australia. He was a renowned explorer, and a Member of Western Australia's Legislative and Executive Councils for nearly 40 years.
In 1817, the Admiralty of the Navy appointed him to the surveying service in New South Wales, under the command of Captain Phillip Parker King. Roe's first survey journey as assistant to King was the King expedition of 1817, a rough survey of the northern and north-west coast of Australia.
George Washington
George Washington was an American statesman and soldier who served as the first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797 and was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
Washington's introduction to surveying began at an early age through school exercises that taught him the basics of the profession, followed by practical experience in the field. His first opportunity as a surveyor occurred in 1748 when he was invited to join a professional survey party organized by his neighbor and friend George Fairfax to lay out large tracts of land along the border of western Virginia.
Washington began his career as a professional surveyor in 1749 at the age of 17. He subsequently received a commission and surveyor's license from the College of William & Mary and became the official surveyor for the newly formed Culpeper County. He completed his first survey in less than two days, plotting a 400-acre parcel of land, and was well on his way to a promising career.
For the next four years, Washington worked surveying land in Western Virginia for the Ohio Company. In October 1750, Washington resigned his position as an official surveyor but continued to work over the next three years at his new profession. He continued to survey professionally for two more years before receiving a military appointment as adjutant for southern Virginia. By 1752, Washington completed close to 200 surveys on numerous properties totaling more than 60,000 acres. He continued to survey at different times throughout his life and as late as 1799.
George Washington was an American statesman and soldier who served as the first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797 and was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
Washington's introduction to surveying began at an early age through school exercises that taught him the basics of the profession, followed by practical experience in the field. His first opportunity as a surveyor occurred in 1748 when he was invited to join a professional survey party organized by his neighbor and friend George Fairfax to lay out large tracts of land along the border of western Virginia.
Washington began his career as a professional surveyor in 1749 at the age of 17. He subsequently received a commission and surveyor's license from the College of William & Mary and became the official surveyor for the newly formed Culpeper County. He completed his first survey in less than two days, plotting a 400-acre parcel of land, and was well on his way to a promising career.
For the next four years, Washington worked surveying land in Western Virginia for the Ohio Company. In October 1750, Washington resigned his position as an official surveyor but continued to work over the next three years at his new profession. He continued to survey professionally for two more years before receiving a military appointment as adjutant for southern Virginia. By 1752, Washington completed close to 200 surveys on numerous properties totaling more than 60,000 acres. He continued to survey at different times throughout his life and as late as 1799.
Benjamin Banneker
Benjamin Banneker was a free African American scientist, surveyor, almanac author and farmer. Born in Baltimore County, Maryland, to a free African American woman and a former slave, Banneker had little formal education and was largely self-taught. He is known for being part of a group led by Major Andrew Ellicott that surveyed the borders of the original District of Columbia, the federal capital district of the United States.
Benjamin Banneker was a free African American scientist, surveyor, almanac author and farmer. Born in Baltimore County, Maryland, to a free African American woman and a former slave, Banneker had little formal education and was largely self-taught. He is known for being part of a group led by Major Andrew Ellicott that surveyed the borders of the original District of Columbia, the federal capital district of the United States.
William Austin Burt
William Austin Burt was an American inventor, legislator, surveyor, and millwright. He was the inventor of the first typewriter constructed in America and is referred to as the "father of the typewriter." But Burt is better known for inventing the first workable solar compass in 1835 as a solar use surveying instrument.
Many of the problems encountered by surveyors were solved with the use of the magnetic compass. Burt was an active surveyor in Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa and other states and was the leader of many survey teams in Michigan when it was just a wilderness. His solar compass and adaptations of it became standard instruments for the government land survey in much of the western United States and were used until the Global Positioning System was available in the late 20th century.
William Austin Burt was an American inventor, legislator, surveyor, and millwright. He was the inventor of the first typewriter constructed in America and is referred to as the "father of the typewriter." But Burt is better known for inventing the first workable solar compass in 1835 as a solar use surveying instrument.
Many of the problems encountered by surveyors were solved with the use of the magnetic compass. Burt was an active surveyor in Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa and other states and was the leader of many survey teams in Michigan when it was just a wilderness. His solar compass and adaptations of it became standard instruments for the government land survey in much of the western United States and were used until the Global Positioning System was available in the late 20th century.
William Crawford
William Crawford was an American soldier and surveyor who worked as a western land agent for George Washington. Crawford fought in the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War.
In 1749, Col. William Crawford became acquainted with George Washington who was a young surveyor at the time, somewhat younger than Crawford. He accompanied Washington on surveying trips and learned the trade. When the 1768 Treaty of Fort Stanwix with the Iroquois opened up additional land for settlement, Crawford worked again as a surveyor, locating lands for settlers and speculators.
William Crawford was an American soldier and surveyor who worked as a western land agent for George Washington. Crawford fought in the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War.
In 1749, Col. William Crawford became acquainted with George Washington who was a young surveyor at the time, somewhat younger than Crawford. He accompanied Washington on surveying trips and learned the trade. When the 1768 Treaty of Fort Stanwix with the Iroquois opened up additional land for settlement, Crawford worked again as a surveyor, locating lands for settlers and speculators.
David Thompson
David Thompson was a British-Canadian fur trader, surveyor, and map-maker, known to some native peoples as "Koo-Coo-Sint" or "the Stargazer." Over his career he mapped over 3.9 million square kilometers of North America and for this has been described as the "greatest land geographer who ever lived.”
As an apprentice he expanded his mathematical, astronomical, and surveying skills under the tutelage of Hudson's Bay Company surveyor Philip Turnor. He entered the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company as a fur trader. In 1792 he completed his first significant survey, mapping a route to Lake Athabasca (where today's Alberta/Saskatchewan border is located). In recognition of his map-making skills, the company promoted Thompson to surveyor in 1794.
David Thompson was a British-Canadian fur trader, surveyor, and map-maker, known to some native peoples as "Koo-Coo-Sint" or "the Stargazer." Over his career he mapped over 3.9 million square kilometers of North America and for this has been described as the "greatest land geographer who ever lived.”
As an apprentice he expanded his mathematical, astronomical, and surveying skills under the tutelage of Hudson's Bay Company surveyor Philip Turnor. He entered the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company as a fur trader. In 1792 he completed his first significant survey, mapping a route to Lake Athabasca (where today's Alberta/Saskatchewan border is located). In recognition of his map-making skills, the company promoted Thompson to surveyor in 1794.
Henry Haversham Godwin-Austen
Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Haversham Godwin-Austen FRS FZS FRGS MBOU, known until 1854 as Henry Haversham Austen, was an English topographer, geologist, naturalist and surveyor. He explored the mountains in the Himalayas and surveyed the glaciers at the base of K2, also known as Mount Godwin-Austen. The geographer Kenneth Mason called Godwin-Austen "probably the greatest mountaineer of his day".
Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Haversham Godwin-Austen FRS FZS FRGS MBOU, known until 1854 as Henry Haversham Austen, was an English topographer, geologist, naturalist and surveyor. He explored the mountains in the Himalayas and surveyed the glaciers at the base of K2, also known as Mount Godwin-Austen. The geographer Kenneth Mason called Godwin-Austen "probably the greatest mountaineer of his day".
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