Franz Ludwig von Bibra
Franz Ludwig Freiherr (Baron) von Bibra (10 February 1783 – 14 September 1823) was soldier, author, and early settler of Tasmania, Australia.
Joined the Prussian Army, becoming a second lieutenant in 1801. Resigned commission in 1804 and two years later enlisted in the British army where his older brother Adam Friedrich Heinrich also served. After a brief visit to Germany in 1806, Franz Ludwig joined the Royal Corsican Rangers where he would eventually serve in the Mediterranean Sea. The regiment was disbanded in 1816 and Franz Ludwig considered moving his family to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania), Australia. In order to investigate the viability of Van Diemen’s Land he took a position on a ship traveling to Van Diemen’s Land . He spent over a year exploring and gathering information. When he returned to England in 1817, he gathered more information on Van Diemen’s Land. He asked Dr. Carl N. Röding to help compile the material into a book which was published in 1823. (See link below) Franz Ludwig returned to Germany and in 1819 took the position in England as tutor to the two youngest daughters of future King William IV of the United Kingdom and his mistress Dorothea Jordan: Augusta and Amelia. He retained this position until 1822. Franz Ludwig's biography of George III was printed in 1820.
After returning to Germany, Franz Ludwig endeavored to emigrate to Van Diemen’s Land with his family. Despite not having sufficient funds for the journey, but with letters of recommendation from the future Queen Victoria’s mother Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (Duchess of Kent and Strathearn) and her brother, His Royal Highness (English) Leopold of Saxe-Coburg (later King of Belgium). Franz Leopold and his family sailed 25 September 1822. Arriving in Hobart on 10 January 1823 and persuading the Lieutenant-Governor William Sorell to give a grant of 1000 acres by the Macquarie River and ten assigned servants. Franz Ludwig named the property Coburg after the city near his original home and closely associated with the British royal family. The property near Cressy, Tasmania (41°45′57″S 147°11′10″E / 41.76583°S 147.18611°E) was later incorporated into the Macquarie Estate. Because of his military experience he was named the Chief District Constable.
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