Sir William Clarke | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Victorian Legislative Council | |
| In office 1 September 1878 – 1 May 1897 | |
| Preceded by | John Bear |
| Succeeded by | Sir Rupert Clarke |
| Constituency | Southern Province |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 31 March 1831 near Jericho, Van Diemen's Land |
| Died | 15 May 1897 (aged 66) East Melbourne, Victoria |
| Resting place | Melbourne General Cemetery |
| Spouses | |
| Parents |
|
Sir William John Clarke, 1st Baronet (31 March 1831 – 15 May 1897), was an Australian businessman and philanthropist in the Colony of Victoria. He was raised to the baronetage in 1882, the first Victorian to be granted a hereditary honour.[1]
Clarke was born in Van Diemen's Land, the son of the pastoralist William John Turner Clarke. He arrived in the Port Phillip District (the future Victoria) in 1850, where he managed many of his father's properties and acquired some of his own. Upon his father's death in 1874, he became the largest landowner in the colony. Clarke was made a baronet for his work as the head of the Melbourne International Exhibition, which brought Australia to international attention. He also served terms as president of the Australian Club, president of the Victorian Football Association, and president of the Melbourne Cricket Club, and was prominent in yachting and horse racing circles. Clarke gave generously to charitable organisations, and also made significant financial contributions to the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne and the University of Melbourne. He was a member of the Victorian Legislative Council from 1878 until 1897, although he was not particularly active in politics.
- ^ Morrissey, Sylvia. "Clarke, Sir William John (1831 - 1897)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 20 October 2013.