William Redfern
| William Redfern | |
|---|---|
Dr William Redfern
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| Born | c.1774 Ireland |
| Died |
17 July 1833 Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Convict, Surgeon |
William Redfern (1774 – 17 July 1833) was an English-raised surgeon in early colonial Australia who was transported to New South Wales as a convict for his role in the Mutiny on the Nore.
Dr William Redfern was born in County Antrim, probably Belfast, and raised in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England. He was surgeon's apprentice to his older brother Thomas and passed the examination of the London Company of Surgeons in 1797. He was commissioned as a surgeon's mate aboard the 64-gun HMS Standard.
Redfern was aboard Standard in 1797 when the crew rose against the officers in the Mutiny of the Nore. For his actions Redfern was sentenced to death, however, the court 'recommended mercy on account of his professional situation' and his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. According to a letter written by Lachlan Macquarie, Redfern requested transportation to New South Wales. After spending four years in English jails he was transported in 1801.
Redfern was granted a conditional pardon following his arrival in Sydney and was transferred to Norfolk Island as assistant surgeon to that newly established colony. On 19 June 1803 he received a full pardon from the colony's governor, Philip Gidley King, but remained on Norfolk Island in his previous role.
As early as 1804 Redfern began advocating for the use of a new smallpox vaccination. After being examined about his level of medical knowledge by the Surgeon-General of New South Wales, Thomas Jamison, it was certified that Redfern was "qualified to exercise the profession of a surgeon, etc." In 1808 he returned to Sydney and was appointed by Governor Joseph Foveaux to the role of assistant surgeon for the new Sydney Hospital. Foveaux planned to confirm Redfern's appointment and stated that his "skill and ability in his profession are unquestionable, and his conduct has been such as to deserve particular approbation".
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