Reference to index of William Archer Journals 1847-1874

Abstract

William Archer (1820-1874) the second son of Thomas Archer (1790-1850) of Woolmers, Longford, studied architecture in England and after returning to Van Diemen's Land, designed among other buildings, the Hutchins School in Hobart, Mona Vale, at Ross, and Saundridge, Cressy, as well as the East window of Christ Church, Longford. For some years he was secretary of the Royal Society of Tasmania, a Fellow of the Royal and Linnean Societies of England, and a keen botanist, named many Tasmanian plants and assisted Dr. Hooker who dedicated to him and Ronald C. Gunn, his work on the flora of Tasmania. From 1856 until 1858, he lived in England and worked at the Herbarium, Kew Gardens, presenting the library with a book of his drawings of Tasmanian orchids and mosses. He was a leading member of the anti-transportation movement, and a member for Parliament at various times between his election for Westbury in 1851 and retirement in 1866. For may years he lived at Cheshunt, Deloraine. He died at Fairfield, Longford, in 1874.