MACLEAY, Sir George (1809-1891)

explorer and politician

was the third son of Alexander Macleay (q.v.). He was born at London in 1809, educated at Westminster School, and came to Australia with his father in January 1826 or not long after him. In November 1829 he went with Charles Sturt (q.v.) on his second expedition, "as a companion rather than as an assistant", and shared in the difficulties and dangers of the journey to the mouth of the Murray and back. Early in April 1830, when the whole party was practically exhausted, Sturt recorded that "amidst these distresses Macleay preserved his good humour and did his utmost to lighten the toil and to cheer the men". Their provisions had just about come to an end when they were fortunately able to kill some swans. They subsisted on these until two of the party, who had been sent on ahead, returned with supplies from a depot they had established on their outward journey. After a short rest Macleay was sent on with dispatches, but Sturt thought it wise to keep the rest of the party on the plain for a fortnight to allow them to recover from their exertions. Macleay had proved himself to be a hardy and excellent explorer, and he and Sturt formed a close friendship only broken by Sturt's death. After his return Macleay was on the land at Brownlow Hill near Camden about 40 miles from Sydney, and made his home there for nearly 30 years. He appears also at one time to have had a station on the Murrumbidgee. His chief interests were farming and horticulture and, though not a working zoologist, he had an interest in the subject. In 1836 he was appointed to the committee of the Australian Museum and botanical garden, and later on he was made a trustee of the museum. In 1854 he became a member of the old legislative council, and at the first election of the legislative assembly in 1856 he was elected as member for the Murrumbidgee. In 1859 he removed to England, was elected a fellow of the Linnean Society in 1860, and a member of the council in 1864. He died at Mentone in the south of France on 24 June 1891. He married (1) in 1842 Barbara St Clair Innes, who died in 1869, and (2) in 1890 Augusta Annie Sams, who survived him. There were no children of either marriage. He was created C.M.G. in 1869 and K.C.M.G. in 1875.

J. J. Fletcher, Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, vol. XLV, p. 630; Mrs N. G. Sturt, Life of Charles Sturt; P. Mennell, The Dictionary of Australasian Biography; Burke's Peerage, etc., 1891.