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| birth_date ={{Birth date|df=yes|1783|2|21}}
| birth_date ={{Birth date|df=yes|1783|2|21}}
| birth_place =London, England, <br> United Kingdom
| birth_place =London, England, <br> United Kingdom
| death_date ={{death date and age|df=yes|1847|2|3|1783|2|21}}
| death_date ={{death date and age|df=yes|1847|2|3|1783|2|21}}
| death_place =[[Hobart, Tasmania|Hobart]], [[Van Diemen's Land]]
| death_place =[[Hobart, Tasmania|Hobart]], [[Van Diemen's Land]]
| spouse =Elizabeth Emma Parry & Elizabeth Chester
| spouse =Elizabeth Emma Parry & Elizabeth Chester
| order =6th [[Governor of Tasmania|Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen's Land]]
| order =6th [[Governor of Tasmania|Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen's Land]]
| term_start =21 August 1843
| term_start =21 August 1843
| term_end =13 October 1846
| term_end =13 October 1846
| successor =[[William Denison]]
| successor =[[William Denison]]
| predecessor =[[John Franklin]]
| predecessor =[[John Franklin]]
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|url=http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/17730/pages/1555}}</ref> and in 1822 published ''An Abridgment of Blackstone's Commentaries''.<ref name=DicAB/> This was followed in 1827 by ''A Letter to the Magistrates of England on the Increase of Crime'', by Sir Eardley Eardley-Wilmot, Bart. [[Fellow of the Royal Society|F.R.S.]], F.L.S. and F.S.A. He was a member of the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]], representing North Warwickshire from 1832 until March 1843.<ref name=DicAB/> In 1840 he attended an international meeting on 12 June 1840 on anti-slavery. A large painting in the [[National Portrait Gallery (London)|National Portrait Gallery]] records that event and Eardley-Wilmot is shown with [[Stephen Lushington (judge)|Dr Stephen Lushington]], a judge, behind the main speaker.<ref name=npg>[http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search/portrait.asp?LinkID=mp00069&rNo=0&role=sit# National Portrait Gallery, London] accessed 14 July 2008</ref>
|url=http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/17730/pages/1555}}</ref> and in 1822 published ''An Abridgment of Blackstone's Commentaries''.<ref name=DicAB/> This was followed in 1827 by ''A Letter to the Magistrates of England on the Increase of Crime'', by Sir Eardley Eardley-Wilmot, Bart. [[Fellow of the Royal Society|F.R.S.]], F.L.S. and F.S.A. He was a member of the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]], representing North Warwickshire from 1832 until March 1843.<ref name=DicAB/> In 1840 he attended an international meeting on 12 June 1840 on anti-slavery. A large painting in the [[National Portrait Gallery (London)|National Portrait Gallery]] records that event and Eardley-Wilmot is shown with [[Stephen Lushington (judge)|Dr Stephen Lushington]], a judge, behind the main speaker.<ref name=npg>[http://www.npg.org.uk/live/search/portrait.asp?LinkID=mp00069&rNo=0&role=sit# National Portrait Gallery, London] accessed 14 July 2008</ref>


[[Image:Stephen_Lushington_John_E_E_Wilmot.jpg|left|thumb|[[Stephen Lushington (judge)|Dr. Stephen Lushington]] and Eardley-Wilmot at the 1840 meeting on anti-slavery (Detail from a larger painting).<ref name=npg/>]]
[[Image:Stephen Lushington John E E Wilmot.jpg|left|thumb|[[Stephen Lushington (judge)|Dr. Stephen Lushington]] and Eardley-Wilmot at the 1840 meeting on anti-slavery (Detail from a larger painting).<ref name=npg/>]]
Eardley-Wilmot was appointed lieutenant-governor of [[Van Diemen's Land]], and arrived at [[Hobart]] on 17 August.<ref name=DicAB/> He probably owed his position to the interest he had taken in the subject of crime; his plea that prisoners under the age of 21 should be segregated and a special endeavour made to reform them suggests that he was in advance of his period.
Eardley-Wilmot was appointed lieutenant-governor of [[Van Diemen's Land]], and arrived at [[Hobart]] on 17 August.<ref name=DicAB/> He probably owed his position to the interest he had taken in the subject of crime; his plea that prisoners under the age of 21 should be segregated and a special endeavour made to reform them suggests that he was in advance of his period.


Soon after his arrival he came into conflict with one of the judges by reprieving a [[Convictism in Australia|prisoner]] sentenced to be hanged. His justification was that he would not inflict death for offences not on the records of the court, and that in this case only robbery had been proved. He visited various parts of the island and seemed likely to be a popular governor. Many prisoners were arriving, expenses were rising, and the governor was much hampered by instructions received from the colonial office. In 1844 Eardley-Wilmot suggested that the 1842 Act (setting a £1 per acre minimum land price) should not apply in Van Diemen's Land – to which the British government agreed in 1845. He endeavoured to raise the duties on sugar, tea and other foreign goods, but the opposition from the colonists was great and the new taxes were withdrawn. The colonial office was unable to understand that convict labour could not be made to pay its way, and Wilmot was made responsible for the faults of a system he had no power to amend. He endeavoured to save expenses by reducing salaries of officials, but the chief justice for one denied the power of the council to reduce his salary. Six members of the council objected to the form of the estimates and withdrew from the council which reduced the number present below a quorum, and much public feeling arose against the governor.
Soon after his arrival he came into conflict with one of the judges by reprieving a [[Convictism in Australia|prisoner]] sentenced to be hanged. His justification was that he would not inflict death for offences not on the records of the court, and that in this case only robbery had been proved. He visited various parts of the island and seemed likely to be a popular governor. Many prisoners were arriving, expenses were rising, and the governor was much hampered by instructions received from the colonial office. In 1844 Eardley-Wilmot suggested that the 1842 Act (setting a £1 per acre minimum land price) should not apply in Van Diemen's Land – to which the British government agreed in 1845. He endeavoured to raise the duties on sugar, tea and other foreign goods, but the opposition from the colonists was great and the new taxes were withdrawn. The colonial office was unable to understand that convict labour could not be made to pay its way, and Wilmot was made responsible for the faults of a system he had no power to amend. He endeavoured to save expenses by reducing salaries of officials, but the chief justice for one denied the power of the council to reduce his salary. Six members of the council objected to the form of the estimates and withdrew from the council which reduced the number present below a quorum, and much public feeling arose against the governor.


In April 1846 Wilmot was recalled. The official statements relating to his recall were of the vaguest character, such as that he had not shown ''"an active care of the moral interests involved in the system of convict discipline"''. Privately [[William Ewart Gladstone|Gladstone]], the new colonial secretary, informed Wilmot that he was not recalled for any errors in his official character, but because rumours reflecting on his moral character had reached the colonial office.<ref name=DicAB/> There was no truth in these charges nor was there time for Wilmot to receive any reply to his indignant denials, and requests for the names of his accusers. He died on 3 February 1847, worn-out by worry and anxiety. Too late Gladstone endeavoured to make some amends in a letter to one of Wilmot's sons.
In April 1846 Wilmot was recalled. The official statements relating to his recall were of the vaguest character, such as that he had not shown ''"an active care of the moral interests involved in the system of convict discipline"''. Privately [[William Ewart Gladstone|Gladstone]], the new colonial secretary, informed Wilmot that he was not recalled for any errors in his official character, but because rumours reflecting on his moral character had reached the colonial office.<ref name=DicAB/> There was no truth in these charges nor was there time for Wilmot to receive any reply to his indignant denials, and requests for the names of his accusers. He died on 3 February 1847, worn-out by worry and anxiety. Gladstone endeavoured to make some amends in a letter to one of Wilmot's sons.


Wilmot married (1) Elizabeth Emma, daughter of Caleb Hillier Parry in 1808 and (2) Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Robert Chester in 1819. There were sons and daughters of both marriages. There is a monument in memory of Wilmot at Hobart, erected by public subscription.
Wilmot married (1) Elizabeth Emma, daughter of Caleb Hillier Parry in 1808 and (2) Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Robert Chester in 1819. There were sons and daughters of both marriages. There is a monument in memory of Wilmot at Hobart, erected by public subscription.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
*Michael Roe, '[http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A010329b.htm Eardley-Wilmot, Sir John Eardley (1783–1847)]', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol. 1, Melbourne University Press, 1966, pp 345–346
*Michael Roe, '[http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A010329b.htm Eardley-Wilmot, Sir John Eardley (1783–1847)]', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol. 1, Melbourne University Press, 1966, pp 345–346
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* {{Hansard-contribs | sir-john-eardley-wilmot-1 | Sir John Eardley-Wilmot }}
* {{Hansard-contribs | sir-john-eardley-wilmot-1 | Sir John Eardley-Wilmot }}


{{s-start}}
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{{S-par|uk}}
{{s-new | constituency | reason = see [[Warwickshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Warwickshire]] }}
{{S-new | constituency | reason = see [[Warwickshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Warwickshire]] }}
{{s-ttl
{{S-ttl
| title = Member of Parliament for [[North Warwickshire (UK Parliament constituency)|North Warwickshire]]
| title = Member of Parliament for [[North Warwickshire (UK Parliament constituency)|North Warwickshire]]
| with = [[William Stratford Dugdale]]
| with = [[William Stratford Dugdale]]
| years = [[United Kingdom general election, 1832|1832]]–1843
| years = [[United Kingdom general election, 1832|1832]]–1843
}}
}}
{{s-aft
{{S-aft
| after = [[William Stratford Dugdale]]
| after = [[William Stratford Dugdale]]
| after2 = [[Charles Newdigate Newdegate]]
| after2 = [[Charles Newdigate Newdegate]]
}}
}}
{{s-gov}}
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{{Succession box |
before=[[John Franklin]] |
before=[[John Franklin]] |
after=[[William Denison]] |
after=[[William Denison]] |
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years=1843–1846
years=1843–1846
}}
}}
{{s-reg|uk-bt}}
{{S-reg|uk-bt}}
{{s-new | creation }}
{{S-new | creation }}
{{s-ttl
{{S-ttl
| title = [[Eardley-Wilmot Baronets|Baronet]]<br />'''(of [[Berkswell Hall]])'''
| title = [[Eardley-Wilmot Baronets|Baronet]]<br />'''(of [[Berkswell Hall]])'''
| years = 1821–1847
| years = 1821–1847
}}
}}
{{s-aft | after=[[Sir John Eardley-Wilmot, 2nd Baronet|John Eardley-Wilmot]] }}
{{S-aft | after=[[Sir John Eardley-Wilmot, 2nd Baronet|John Eardley-Wilmot]] }}
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{{Persondata
{{Persondata
|NAME=Eardley-Wilmot, John Eardley
|NAME=Eardley-Wilmot, John Eardley
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Sir John Eardley Eardley-Wilmot, 1st Baronet
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Sir John Eardley Eardley-Wilmot, 1st Baronet
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=British politician; MP and [[Governor of Tasmania|Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen's Land]]
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=British politician; MP and [[Governor of Tasmania|Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen's Land]]

Revision as of 09:59, 8 March 2012

Sir John Eardley-Wilmot, Bt
6th Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen's Land
In office
21 August 1843 – 13 October 1846
Preceded byJohn Franklin
Succeeded byWilliam Denison
Personal details
Born(1783-02-21)21 February 1783
London, England,
United Kingdom
Died3 February 1847(1847-02-03) (aged 63)
Hobart, Van Diemen's Land
SpouseElizabeth Emma Parry & Elizabeth Chester

Sir John Eardley Eardley-Wilmot, 1st Baronet (21 February 1783 – 3 February 1847) was a politician in the United Kingdom who served as Member of Parliament (MP) for North Warwickshire and then as Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen's Land (later called Tasmania).[1]

Eardley-Wilmot was the son of John Eardley Wilmot (1748–1815), barrister, and grandson of Sir John Eardley Wilmot, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. He was educated at Harrow School, called to the bar in 1806, was created a baronet in 1821[2] and in 1822 published An Abridgment of Blackstone's Commentaries.[1] This was followed in 1827 by A Letter to the Magistrates of England on the Increase of Crime, by Sir Eardley Eardley-Wilmot, Bart. F.R.S., F.L.S. and F.S.A. He was a member of the House of Commons, representing North Warwickshire from 1832 until March 1843.[1] In 1840 he attended an international meeting on 12 June 1840 on anti-slavery. A large painting in the National Portrait Gallery records that event and Eardley-Wilmot is shown with Dr Stephen Lushington, a judge, behind the main speaker.[3]

Dr. Stephen Lushington and Eardley-Wilmot at the 1840 meeting on anti-slavery (Detail from a larger painting).[3]

Eardley-Wilmot was appointed lieutenant-governor of Van Diemen's Land, and arrived at Hobart on 17 August.[1] He probably owed his position to the interest he had taken in the subject of crime; his plea that prisoners under the age of 21 should be segregated and a special endeavour made to reform them suggests that he was in advance of his period.

Soon after his arrival he came into conflict with one of the judges by reprieving a prisoner sentenced to be hanged. His justification was that he would not inflict death for offences not on the records of the court, and that in this case only robbery had been proved. He visited various parts of the island and seemed likely to be a popular governor. Many prisoners were arriving, expenses were rising, and the governor was much hampered by instructions received from the colonial office. In 1844 Eardley-Wilmot suggested that the 1842 Act (setting a £1 per acre minimum land price) should not apply in Van Diemen's Land – to which the British government agreed in 1845. He endeavoured to raise the duties on sugar, tea and other foreign goods, but the opposition from the colonists was great and the new taxes were withdrawn. The colonial office was unable to understand that convict labour could not be made to pay its way, and Wilmot was made responsible for the faults of a system he had no power to amend. He endeavoured to save expenses by reducing salaries of officials, but the chief justice for one denied the power of the council to reduce his salary. Six members of the council objected to the form of the estimates and withdrew from the council which reduced the number present below a quorum, and much public feeling arose against the governor.

In April 1846 Wilmot was recalled. The official statements relating to his recall were of the vaguest character, such as that he had not shown "an active care of the moral interests involved in the system of convict discipline". Privately Gladstone, the new colonial secretary, informed Wilmot that he was not recalled for any errors in his official character, but because rumours reflecting on his moral character had reached the colonial office.[1] There was no truth in these charges nor was there time for Wilmot to receive any reply to his indignant denials, and requests for the names of his accusers. He died on 3 February 1847, worn-out by worry and anxiety. Gladstone endeavoured to make some amends in a letter to one of Wilmot's sons.

Wilmot married (1) Elizabeth Emma, daughter of Caleb Hillier Parry in 1808 and (2) Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Robert Chester in 1819. There were sons and daughters of both marriages. There is a monument in memory of Wilmot at Hobart, erected by public subscription.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Serle, Percival (1949). "Eardley-Wilmot, John Eardley". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Sydney: Angus & Robertson.
  2. ^ "John Eardley Eardley Wilmot granted title of Baronet on 27 July 1821". The London Gazette. London: London Gazette. 1821. p. 1555. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. ^ a b National Portrait Gallery, London accessed 14 July 2008

Further reading

  • Alexander, Alison, ed. (2005). The Companion to Tasmanian History. Hobart, Tasmania: Centre for Tasmanian Historical Studies, University of Tasmania. ISBN 186295223X. OCLC 61888464.
  • Robson, L. L. (1983). A History of Tasmania. Volume I. Van Diemen's Land From the Earliest Times to 1855. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-554364-5.

External links

Parliament of the United Kingdom
New constituency
 Member of Parliament for North Warwickshire
1832–1843
With: William Stratford Dugdale 		Succeeded by
Government offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen's Land
1843–1846 		Succeeded by
Baronetage of the United Kingdom
New creation Baronet
(of Berkswell Hall)
1821–1847 		Succeeded by

Template:Persondata

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