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Elizabeth MacarturFounder of the Australian wool industry
Country:
 Australia |
Content:
Biography of Elizabeth Macarthur
Elizabeth Veale, the founder of the Australian wool industry, was born and educated in England. In 1788, she married the ambitious young officer John Macarthur. A year later, they embarked on a journey to New South Wales as part of the second wave of immigrants.
Settling in New South Wales
In 1793, John Macarthur was granted a 100-acre plot of land in the Parramatta area. He named his farm "Elizabeth Farm" in honor of his wife. Besides giving birth to eight children, Elizabeth showed a keen interest in the affairs of the farm and had a significant influence on the development of the wool export industry in the colony.
Expansion and Success
In 1801, John was recalled to England and stayed there until 1805. During his absence, Elizabeth successfully managed the business, transforming their farm into the largest enterprise in the industry. She became an expert in wool and established the infrastructure for exporting colonial wool. She was the first to breed Merino sheep, which later became the foundation of the Australian wool industry.
Legacy
Elizabeth Macarthur was a pioneer of the wool industry, a sector of the economy that became one of the most important foundations of Australia's economic growth. She passed away in Sydney in 1850.
