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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

The Gallery’s Acknowledgement of Country, and information on culturally sensitive and restricted content and the use of historic language in the collection can be found here.

a squatter (Sir Samuel Wilson)

1885
Sir Leslie Ward, Vincent Brooks, Day & Son (lithographer) and Vanity Fair Magazine (publisher)

from the series ‘Vanity Fair’
chromolithograph on paper (sheet: 38.0 cm x 26.3 cm)

Sir Samuel Wilson (1832-1895), pastoralist and politician, arrived in Victoria in 1852, and with his three brothers established successful squatting runs along the Wimmera River. Wilson became an expert station manager and his natural skill in mathematics allowed him to design a system of gravity-fed channels and dams on his landholdings. He bought out his brothers after 1869 and continued to expand his empire by purchasing leases and freehold land in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. He served in the Victorian Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly and supported Federation. In the 1870s Wilson funded the building of the University of Melbourne’s gothic Wilson Hall. He returned to England in 1881 and served in the House of Commons. The Vanity Fair text accompanying this plate notes that he took ‘considerable interest in the introduction of salmon, goats and ostriches into Australia’ and that he was ‘very, very rich, and, on occasion, very free with his money.’

Gift of Mr Ronald Walker 2001

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

Artist and subject

Sir Leslie Ward (age 34 in 1885)

Vincent Brooks, Day & Son

Vanity Fair Magazine

Sir Samuel Wilson (age 53 in 1885)

Subject professions

Government and leadership

Donated by

Ronald Walker (23 portraits)

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency