Baron Charles Robert Carrington KG (1843–1928) was born in England and educated at Eton and Cambridge. He served as a captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms before being appointed governor of New South Wales in 1885. On his arrival the colony was suffering a drought, economic recession and political crisis. Carrington quickly formed a good relationship with Sir Henry Parkes and the pair often met to discuss the promotion of federation. The colony’s name was changed to Australia during Carrington’s administration, in 1887. In 1890 Carrington returned to England where his speeches in support of Australian nationalism shocked the local gentry. However, behind closed doors he was more critical of Australian politics, commenting that ‘its factions, its personal changes, its waste of time and opportunity … are but humble imitations of the proceedings of London statesmen’.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Ronald Walker 2002
Accession number: 2002.59
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Ronald Walker (23 portraits)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
Ashleigh Wadman rediscovers the Australian characters represented with a kindly touch by the British portrait artist Leslie Ward for the society magazine Vanity Fair.
Explore portraiture and come face to face with Australian identity, history, culture, creativity and diversity.
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