• Eleventh Governor of New South Wales.

• Born in England.

• First appointed to Van Diemen’s Land as Lieutenant-Governor in 1846.

• Was responsible for the name change to Tasmania in 1856.

• Appointed Governor of New South Wales and Lord Howe Island in 1854. This also meant that he became ‘Governor-general in and over all our Colonies of New South Wales, Van Diemen’s Land, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia but without any of his predecessor’s special powers. The coming of responsible government to New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia in 1855-1856 led to the lapse of this office.

• Due to the Crimean War, Denison strengthened the defences in Sydney in case of a suborn attack. These defences included Pinchgut (Fort Denison).

• He promoted education that was funded by the Colonial treasury and administered by a Board of Education.

• Developed the University of Sydney and the Sydney Grammar School.

• Presided over the opening of the Royal Mint in Sydney.

• Proclaimed the Constitution Act in 1855. With the end of the old Executive Council, he constituted a provisional Executive Council of four men ‘unconnected with party politics on whose impartiality and intelligence he could safely rely ... until the formal appointment of a responsible ministry.’ The new Parliament included an elected Legislative Assembly and a nominated Legislative Council. Denison accepted these changes but insisted that the Executive Council be recognized as the governing body. He felt that the role of Governor should be that of a non-political adviser.

• Under the new Constitution Act, the Governor still had important powers – to dissolve parliament and call elections, to nominate members who were to constitute the Upper House and to give Royal assent to bills passed by the legislature. It was generally believed in the colony that these powers would be exercised on the advice of the executive chosen from the Assembly, the relationship being similar to that of the Queen to her ministers. His could still appoint, in the King’s name, all judges, Justices of the Peace, Commissioners, and other ‘necessary officers and Ministers’ and remove any officer so appointed. He had to summon the Legislative Assembly.

• Appointed all public offices with the advice of the Executive Council.

• Established Queensland as a separate colony, establishing a Legislative Council and Assembly in 1860.

• Saw the indigenous issue as one that would take care of itself – ‘their gradual extinction(is) a matter almost of necessity.’

• In his role as Governor-general, he took a great interest in intercolonial affairs.

• Made governor of Norfolk Island.

• Left the colony in 1861 to become Governor of Madras.

• Died in England in 1871.

C.H.Currey, Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol., 4, ed. Douglas Pike, p9 46-56 (Melbourne University Press)