South Australia in 1837 In a Series of Letters
Author
Robert Gouger (1802-1846)
Publisher
Harvey and Darton
Date1838
Object number00002793
NameBook
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 10 x 176 x 112 mm, 0.15 kg
Display Dimensions: 176 x 112 x 10 mm
Display Dimensions: 176 x 112 x 10 mm
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionBook by Robert Gouger titled 'South Australia in 1837; In a Series of Letters; With a Postscript as to 1838'. Published in London by Harvey and Darton. Second edition, with additional information. 145 pages.
HistoryRobert Gouger has been called "South Australia's most devoted promoter" and was the new colony's first Secretary. While he had advocated for its settlement for years prior to his arrival in 1886, ill health and the rigours of political life would eventually see Gouger spend only a few years in the new colony.
This book, the result of a decade of interest in schemes to colonize Western and South Australia, was written on Gouger's return to England. He had arrived in South Australia aboard the AFRIQUE in November 1836 with his wife Harriet. Beset by problems from the outset, Gouger faced challenging living conditions and in party fighting within the fledging government. Harriet and their newborn son died in March 1837 and November the same year, Gouger returned to England after being briefly suspended for physically fighting with the colonial treasurer.
Despite these professional and personal lows, Gouger maintained his commitment to the South Australian settlement and published this work in 1838. He returned to Adelaide in June 1839 and resumed office, but failing health saw Gouger request to return to England in 1844.
SignificanceRobert Gouger was the first Colonial Secretary in South Australia. It is said that the first officers and government of South Australia were proclaimed from a tent next to Gouger's hut in Adelaide on December 28, 1836.
