Lot 3265

Description

Australian International Exhibitions, Sydney 1879-80, Melbourne 1880-81, Presentation medal in bronze (76mm), by J.S.& A.B.Wyon, reverse inscribed, 'Lt General/Sir Andrew Clarke/G.C.M.G., C.B., C.I.E.' Extremely fine.

Sir Andrew Clarke, military engineer and public servant was born on 27 July 1824 at Southsea, Hampshire, England. He spent a few years in India with his parents and then moved to Ireland where he was raised by other family members. After graduating from the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich he was commissioned in the Royal Engineers. In 1846 his father who was Governor of Western Australia urged Andrew to come to Australia. He did so in his military capacity but to Tasmania serving in many areas in both a military capacity and in civil service in Tasmania and Victoria. He initiated the Museum of Natural History in Melbourne and designed the building for the first Melbourne Industrial Exhibition. His other initiatives and achievements in Victoria are too numerous to mention here. He also served in prominent positions throughout the British colonies. Andrew Clarke died in London on 29 March 1902. See his full biography by Betty Malone published in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol 3, (MUP), 1969.