John Roper (explorer)
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John Roper (29 February 1824[1] – 15 September 1895[2]) was an English explorer in Australia, remembered as the last survivor[3] of Ludwig Leichhardt's successful expedition from Brisbane, Queensland, to Port Essington, Northern Territory in 1844–45.
Roper was born at Gayton Thorpe, Norfolk, England.[4] and was educated at schools in Fakenham and Lynn.
He arrived in Australia in 1843, first settling in the Hunter River, managing a station for Alexander Campbell Walker. He joined Leichhardt's party in 1844, the two sharing expenses.[2]
He was one of three in the party who were speared by Aboriginals on the night of 28 June 1844 while they were sleeping. They had previously enjoyed good relations with the Aboriginal people, so had not posted a watch. Roper and Calvert survived but John Gilbert died of his wounds. One of Roper's head wounds resulted in the loss of sight in one eye.[5]
He returned to Sydney in 1846 with Leichhardt, then settled in Albury, where he became clerk of petty sessions in 1847, magistrate in 1854, and mayor in 1862. From 1880 to around 1893 he was an inspector of stock at Merriwa.
He died of pleurisy at his home, "Rosebery Park", Merriwa, aged 71.[2]
Named in his honour
The following places are named after him, all by explorer Ludwig Leichhardt:
- Ropers Peak in the Peak Range, in Central Queensland[6]
- Roper River, which runs east through the Northern Territory into the Gulf of Carpentaria,[7] and Roper Bar, where they effected a crossing[8]
References
- ↑ "The Last of Leichhardt's Party". The Queenslander. Vol. XLVIII, no. 1053. Queensland, Australia. 28 December 1895. p. 1224. Retrieved 30 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- 1 2 3 "The Leichhardt Expedition". The Daily Telegraph. No. 5083. New South Wales, Australia. 5 October 1895. p. 5. Retrieved 30 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ "Australian Explorers". The Kiama Independent, and Shoalhaven Advertiser. Vol. XXIX, no. 2, 444. New South Wales, Australia. 19 November 1895. p. 4. Retrieved 30 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia. This article has more on the young John Murphy and the two Aboriginal expeditioners.
- ↑ "Leichhardt's Expedition 1844–45. Who Were Its Members?". Townsville Daily Bulletin. Vol. LXVII. Queensland, Australia. 24 February 1945. p. 3. Retrieved 29 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ "Mr. John Roper". Wagga Wagga Express. Vol. XXXVI, no. 6446. New South Wales, Australia. 24 September 1895. p. 3. Retrieved 30 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ "Ropers Peak – mountain in Central Highlands Region (entry 29015)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
- ↑ "Roper River". Place Names Register. Northern Territory Government. Archived from the original on 11 December 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
- ↑ "Roper Bar". Place Names Register. Northern Territory Government. Retrieved 19 February 2025.