Sir John Logan Campbell | |
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John Logan Campbell as an elderly man
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17th Mayor of Auckland City | |
In office 8 May 1901 – 25 July 1901 |
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Preceded by | David Goldie |
Succeeded by | Alfred Kidd |
Personal details | |
Born |
Edinburgh Scotland |
3 November 1817
Died | 22 June 1912 | (aged 94)
Nationality | New Zealand |
Relations |
John Cracroft Wilson (father-in-law) Michael Campbell (great-great-great-grandson) |
Occupation | politician |
Known for | Mayor of Auckland City |
Sir John Logan Campbell (3 November 1817 – 22 June 1912) was a prominent New Zealand public figure. He was the son of Doctor John Campbell and his wife Catherine and grandson of the 3rd baronet of Aberuchil and Kilbryde Castle, near Dunblane, Perthshire. He was described by his contemporaries as "the father of Auckland".
John Logan Campbell was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on 3 November 1817 the third but only surviving son. He had four sisters but his two elder brothers had died by the time he reached the age of 2. Campbell graduated in medicine from the University of Edinburgh in 1839 and later that year sailed for the antipodes, New South Wales, as a surgeon on the emigrant ship Palmyra.
In 1840, he came to New Zealand, arriving first in Coromandel and then the then capital of New Zealand, Auckland, which had been founded by Governor William Hobson. Campbell and William Brown (a Scottish lawyer) who arrived at the same time, were the first Europeans to settle in the area.
Campbell and Brown built the first house in Auckland (Acacia Cottage, which still survives), and opened the first shop. John Logan Campbell quickly became prominent in Auckland, both in business circles and in public life. He was a director of the Bank of New Zealand, the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, and the New Zealand Insurance Company.
Campbell was appointed to the Auckland Executive Council on 20 March 1855, and he served until 15 September of that year. He was then Superintendent of Auckland Province from 25 November 1855 to 17 September 1856.