Robert O'Hara Burke ( - June 28, ) was an Irish soldier and police officer, who achieved fame as an Australian explorer. He was the leader of the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition, which was the first expedition to cross Australia from south to north, finding a route across the continent from the settled areas of Victoria to the Gulf of Carpentaria. At that time, most of the inland of Australia had not been explored by Europeans and was completely unknown to the settlers. The expedition party was well-equipped, but Burke was not experienced in bushcraft and his leadership is often blamed for the failure of the project and the deaths of seven people in the party. Burke and his partner, William John Wills, died of starvation under tragic circumstances on the banks of Coopers Creek.
Early life
Burke was born in St. Clerah's, County Galway, Ireland, in , the third son of James Hardiman Burke, an officer in the British army 7th Royal Fusiliers, and Anne Louisa Burke. Burke, his father, and all his brothers were soldiers. His brother, James Thomas, was a Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers, and on July 7, , at the battle
Robert O&#;Hara Burke
Robert O'Hara Burke () was a British policeman and explorer who led the first expedition to cross the Australian continent.
Robert O'Hara Burke was born in County Galway, Ireland, the son of a British army officer. After attending Woolwich Military Academy, Burke served in an Austrian cavalry regiment until , when he joined the mounted Irish constabulary. Migrating to Australia in , he became a police inspector in the Victorian goldfields. After the outbreak of the Crimean War, he returned to Europe, hoping to distinguish himself as a soldier. Disappointed, he returned to Victoria in as superintendent of police at Castlemaine.
The South Australian government offered a prize in to the first explorer to cross the continent. John McDouall Stuart reached Mount Attack in before returning to Adelaide. Spurred by intercolonial rivalry, the rich colony of Victoria financed its own scientific expedition, and the flamboyant Burke, who wanted desperately to improve his fortunes, was chosen to lead it despite his inexperience.
Equipped with camels, horses, and supplies for 2 years, 15 men left Melbourne on Aug. 20, The party reached Menindee along the Darling
Dictionary of National Biography, /Burke, Robert O'Hara
&#;BURKE, ROBERT O’HARA (–), Australian explorer, was born at St. Cleram, county Galway, in , and was educated in Belgium. He entered the Austrian army in , and rose to the rank of captain. In he joined the Irish constabulary, and in emigrated to Australia, and became an inspector of police in Victoria. In he was appointed to the command of an exploring expedition despatched for the purpose of crossing the Australian continent from south to north, which had originated in the contribution of a thousand pounds by Mr. Ambrose Kyte, and had been liberally supported by private subscriptions and government aid. One novel feature was the employment of camels, specially imported from India, from which great results were expected. The expedition quitted Melbourne on 20 Aug. Dissensions soon arose, and several members of the arty returned. Burke reached Cooper's Creek on 11 Nov., and after waiting long for reinforcements, which from mismanagement failed to arrive, made a dash for the Gulf of Carpentaria on 16 Dec., leaving the bulk of his stores in charge of an assistant named Brahe, with directions to await his return for three
Robert O'Hara Burke
Burke, Robert O'Hara, Australian explorer, was born at St. Clerans, near Galway, in He commenced his career as a cadet at Woolwich, studied in Belgium, and entered the Austrian service. In he returned home, and received an appointment in the Irish Constabulary. In he emigrated to Australia, where he obtained the post of Inspector of the Melbourne Police. He visited Europe with the hope of taking part in the Russian war, but arrived too late. In he was appointed to command the expedition fitted out to explore the centre of the Australian continent, which started from Melbourne on 20th August It was completely equipped, and supplied with camels and everything that foresight could suggest. On 5th December the party reached Cooper's Creek ( miles north), then far beyond the bounds of civilization. Here it had been arranged to form a depot. Although the main portion of the stores had not arrived, Burke decided on making the attempt to cross the continent without delay. With Mr. Wills, his second in command, two men, one horse, and six camels, he started on the 13th December, leaving a small party behind, with verbal instructions that they would be back in about
Biographies you may also like
Xavier roberts wife on raymond "Everybody Loves Raymond" Robert's Divorce (TV Episode ) cast and crew credits, .
Sharath marar biography of abraham In his daring new biography, Anthony Julius presents contrasting aspects of the patriarch. Moses encounters the burning bush, Jacob dreams of a ladder ascending to Missing: sharath marar.
Fereidun fesharaki biography sample Dr Fereidun Fesharaki - Chairman Emeritus, FGE Dr Fereidun Fesharaki is the Chairman Emeritus of FGE. His work is well recognized worldwide for pioneering oil and gas market Missing: sample.
D prince mavin biography examples Mavin Records: As a key member of Mavin Records, D'Prince contributed to the label’s rise to prominence, making it one of the most successful record labels in Africa. His work with Don .
Minoru makihara biography of albert 据日本每日新闻21日报道，日本三菱商事株式会社（Mitsubishi Corp.）当天宣布，前社长槙原稔（Minoru Makihara）因心力衰竭13日在家中去世，享年90岁。Missing: biography · albert.
Benja harney biography of mahatma gandhi Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as 'Mahatma Gandhi', was one of the greatest freedom fighters in India's history. He began his career as a lawyer in South Africa, where he Missing: benja harney.