John Hunter British naval officer, vice admiral, explorer, naturalist and colonial administrator Date of Birth: 29.08.1737 Country: Great Britain

Biography of John Hunter

John Hunter was a British naval officer, vice admiral, explorer, naturalist, and colonial administrator. He served as the second governor of New South Wales, the first European colony in Australia, from 1794 to 1800, following Arthur Phillip.

Early Life and Education:
John Hunter was born on August 29, 1737, in Leith, Scotland. He was the son of William Hunter, a captain in the merchant fleet, and Helen Drummond, the daughter of the mayor of Edinburgh. As a young boy, John was sent to live with his uncle in the small town of Lynn in Norfolk, where he received a classical education. He intended to continue his studies as a student at the University of Edinburgh, but soon decided to join the naval fleet as a captain's servant on the ship 'Grampus'.

Naval Career:
In 1755, at the age of 28, Hunter enlisted as a seaman on the 'Centaur'. He worked his way up the ranks, becoming a midshipman and serving on the 'Union' and later the 'Neptune'. In February 1760, he passed his exams and became a lieutenant. However, it took another 20 years, until 1780, for Hunter to be promoted to lieutenant officially.

Exploration and Colonial Administration:
Hunter played a key role in the formation of the First Fleet, a group of 11 ships that set sail for Australia to establish the first British colony. He served as the second-in-command on the ship 'Sirius', under the captaincy of Arthur Phillip, the fleet commander and later the first governor of New South Wales. If Phillip had died or gone missing, Hunter would have replaced him. Like many other officers of the First Fleet, Hunter also participated in the war for American independence from 1775 to 1783.

In 1788, Hunter led an expedition to explore the Parramatta River, a significant event as it marked the first contact between British colonists and indigenous Australians on February 5, 1788. This encounter, which took place during Hunter's breakfast, became part of Sydney's history and led to the naming of one of its suburbs, Breakfast Point.

Later Years and Legacy:
After the loss of the 'Sirius' near Norfolk Island in 1792, Hunter returned to England. In early 1793, he published a journal titled 'An Historical Journal of the Transactions at Port Jackson and Norfolk Island, With the Discoveries That Have Been Made in New South Wales and the Southern Ocean Since the Publication of Phillip's Voyage'. In this journal, Hunter proposed the existence of a strait between the mainland and Tasmania.

In July 1793, Arthur Phillip resigned as governor of New South Wales, and Hunter was appointed as his deputy. In January 1794, he became the full governor of the colony. However, Hunter faced numerous difficulties during his tenure. The military had taken control of the colony's administration, exploiting convicts and importing alcohol for immense profits. Despite his efforts to restore civilian governance, Hunter was unable to arrest the main culprits. Eventually, he was accused of misconduct and recalled to England.

Hunter continued his service and was promoted to rear admiral on October 2, 1807, and vice admiral three years later. He spent his final years in London, where he passed away on March 13, 1821, at the age of 83. Throughout his life, John Hunter maintained an interest in the affairs of the Australian colonies and proposed valuable reforms to the government, which were duly noted.