William Walker (New South Wales colonial politician)

For the NSW politician William Walker who was the member for Windsor (1860–1869) & Legislative Council (1888–1908), see William Walker (New South Wales politician).

For other people with similar names, see William Walker.

William Benjamin Walker (1820 – 9 January 1889) was a politician, merchant, pastoralist and yachtsman from New South Wales, Australia.

Walker was the second son of William Walker, a prominent merchant in early colonial Australia.[1]

Walker was originally a pastoralist, operating a series of stations in the Bega region, based out of the Kamarooka Estate.[2][3] He was later a merchant in Sydney, operating the firm of William Walker & Co.[4] He built and lived in the Redleaf mansion at Double Bay, which he named after his parents' house in England.[5][6] The property survives, and now serves as the council chambers for the Municipality of Woollahra.[7][8] He served in the New South Wales Legislative Council from 1863 until his resignation in 1867.[9] He was involved in the establishment of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron in 1863, and served as its Commodore until resigning in 1867; he was reportedly departing permanently for England.[10][11][12][13] In 1870, he was reported to have been cruising the Mediterranean and to be preparing for the racing season in England.[14] He had also been president of the Anniversary Regatta Committee.[15][16]

He was married to Corentia (née Browne), sister of Rolf Boldrewood.[6] Their second son, Cecil, died in the shipwreck of the Avalanche off Portland in 1877.[2]

Walker died in 1889 (aged 68–69).[17]

References

1. Parsons, Vivienne (1967). "Walker, William (1787–1854)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
2. "Family Notices". Australian Town & Country Journal. Sydney. 24 November 1877. p. 41. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
3. "Sylvester Browne family". The Newcastle Sun. NSW. 24 December 1938. p. 3. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
4. "Community and Environment Committee" (PDF). Woollahra Municipal Council. 26 July 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
5. "Famous home will become new social rendezvous". Australian Women's Weekly. 23 November 1940. p. 7. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
6. "Cockshott, Constance (1837–1919)". Obituaries Australia. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
7. "Present Council Chambers". Municipality of Woollahra. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
8. ""Redleaf" — Woollahra Council Chambers". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. Retrieved 5 January 2021. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
9. "Mr William Walker has resigned from the Legislative Council". Sydney Morning Herald. 1 May 1867. p. 5. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
10. "Aquatics". Bell's Life in Sydney and Sporting Chronicle. NSW. 13 April 1867. p. 3. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
11. "Retrospect". Illustrated Sydney News. 16 May 1867. p. 1. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
12. "Summary of the monthly news". Sydney Morning Herald. 21 July 1863. p. 5. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
13. "Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron". Sydney Morning Herald. 15 April 1867. p. 5. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
14. "Aquatics". Bell's Life in Sydney and Sporting Chronicle. NSW. 18 June 1870. p. 2. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
15. "Advertising". The Freeman's Journal. Sydney. 16 January 1864. p. 1. Retrieved 31 October 2015 – via Trove.
16. "Mr William Walker". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
17. "Will of Mr William Benjamin Walker". Table Talk. 10 May 1889. p. 7. Retrieved 5 January 2021 – via Trove.