Robert Gouger (1802-1846)

BiographyRobert Gouger became the first colonial secretary for South Australia. Originally from London, Gouger became interested in practical philanthropy, colonisation and the idea of organised emigration to Australia. It is said that Gouger was an enthusiastic and driven organiser and in 1829, he assisted his associate George Wakefield in producing and distributing 'Sketch of a Proposal for Colonizing Australasia'. They later published 'A Letter from Sydney' with Gouger acting as editor.

Gouger soon became interested in settlement in South Australia after meeting Anthony Bacon while serving time in King's Bench prison for outstanding debts. On his release, Gouger became secretary of the newly formed National Colonization Society, which advocated for assisting pauper emigration to the colonies and soon saw the yet to be colonised region of south Australia as an ideal place for an experiment in systematic colonization. After a number of proposals presented to the government colonial office over the next couple of years, it was not until August 1834 that the South Australia Act was passed. When the South Australian Colonization Commission was finally gazetted in May 1835 Gouger was appointed colonial secretary.

Gouger and his wife Harriet sailed to Australia on the AFRICAINE and arrived in Holdfast Bay in November 1836 as part of the pioneers who were to set up the colony of South Australia. Gouger was Colonial Secretary and Chief Magistrate and the first Council of Government met in Gouger's tent. Harriet and their son died in March 1887 and Gouger later found himself suspended from duties after a public altercation with Osmond Gilles.

Gouger, after only a year in Australia, left for England in November 1837. He was reinstated by the Colonization Commission and published 'South Australia in 1837; in a series of letters, with a postscript as to 1838' and returned to Adelaide in June 1839 with his new wife. Gouger remained in South Australia until 1844 when ill health and the pressures of his role began to take their toll and the family returned to England where Gouger died in 1846.

Person TypeIndividual