William Paterson (explorer)
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Colonel William Paterson FRS |
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|---|---|
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| 1st Commandant at Port Dalrymple | |
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In office 16 February 1804 – 24 March 1808 |
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| Succeeded by | John Brabyn |
| Lieutenant Governor of New South Wales | |
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In office 13 December 1794 – 1 September 1795 |
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| Preceded by | Francis Grose |
| Succeeded by | Office Vacant |
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In office 24 March 1806 – 1 January 1808 |
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| Preceded by | Office Vacant |
| Succeeded by | George Johnston |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
17 August 1755 Montrose, Scotland |
| Died | 21 June 1810 (aged 54) At sea aboard HMS Dromedary off Cape Horn |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Driver |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army |
| Years of service | 1781–1810 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit |
73rd Regiment of Foot |
| Commands | New South Wales Corps |
Colonel William Paterson, FRS (17 August 1755 – 21 June 1810) was a Scottish soldier, explorer, Lieutenant governor and botanist best known for leading early settlement in Tasmania.
A native of Montrose, Scotland, Paterson was interested in botany as a boy and trained in horticulture at Syon in London. Paterson was sent to the Cape Colony by the wealthy and eccentric Countess of Strathmore to collect plants, he arrived in Table Bay on board the "Houghton" in May 1777. He made four trips into the interior between May 1777 and March 1780, when he departed. In 1789 Paterson published Narrative of Four Journeys into the Country of the Hottentots and Caffraria, which he dedicated to Sir Joseph Banks.
Paterson was originally commissioned as an ensign in the and served in India. He later transferred to the 73rd Regiment of Foot after the 98th's disbandment in 1787. In 1789, he was promoted to captain in the New South Wales Corps, serving under Major Francis Grose. After some time spent recruiting, he arrived in Sydney in October 1791. From November 1791 until March 1793 he served in command on Norfolk Island. Whilst there he collected botanical, geological and insect specimens and sent them to Banks. He also provided seed to the Lee and Kennedy and Colvill nurseries. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in May 1798.
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