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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.

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Robert Lowe, Viscount Sherbrooke

1870
Elliott and Fry

carte de visite photograph (support: 10.3 cm x 6.2 cm, image: 9.2 cm x 5.8 cm)

Robert Lowe, Viscount Sherbrooke (1811-1892), politician, studied and tutored in law at Oxford before coming to Australia in 1842. Although he was a fervent adherent to the principles of the British Constitution, he recognised special needs in the colony, and during his eight years here he was a prominent opponent of the Crown initiatives for which Governor Gipps was the vehicle. Early on, despite severe ill health, he practised as a lawyer (famously unsuccessfully defending John Knatchbull but adopting the two children of the woman Knatchbull murdered). He made his first speeches in the Legislative Council as an unofficial nominee in 1843, setting out his vision of better government through laissez faire policy. He joined the Pastoral Association of New South Wales, recommending a state supported, non-denominational school system, and launched a weekly journal, the Atlas, lobbying for responsible government. In 1845 he returned to the Legislative Council campaigning strongly against the squatting system, and later vehemently opposed further transportation as a measure to hinder squatters in their ambitions. When in 1848, nominated for one of Sydney's two seats in the Legislative Council, he was returned a close second to Wentworth, Henry Parkes called it the 'birthday of Australian democracy'. Lowe returned to England in 1850, where he enjoyed a successful career as a columnist and politician, rising to the House of Lords in 1880 and eventually holding the posts of Chancellor of the Exchequer and Home Secretary.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2010

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

Elliott and Fry

Robert Lowe, Viscount Sherbrooke (age 59 in 1870)

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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.

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