Edward Gibbon Wakefield
English colonial theorist in Canada and New Zealand / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Edward Gibbon Wakefield?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Edward Gibbon Wakefield (20 March 1796 – 16 May 1862) is considered a key figure in the establishment of the colonies of South Australia and New Zealand (where he later served as a member of parliament). He also had significant interests in British North America, being involved in the drafting of Lord Durham's Report and being a member of the Parliament of the Province of Canada for a short time.
This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2023) |
Edward Gibbon Wakefield | |
---|---|
Member of New Zealand Parliament for Hutt | |
In office 1853–1855 | |
Succeeded by | Dillon Bell |
Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada for Beauharnois | |
In office 1842–1844 (by-election) | |
Preceded by | John William Dunscomb |
Succeeded by | Eden Colvile |
Personal details | |
Born | (1796-03-20)20 March 1796 London, Great Britain |
Died | 16 May 1862(1862-05-16) (aged 66) Wellington, New Zealand |
Political party | Province of Canada: French-Canadian Group, then "British" Group New Zealand: Independent |
Spouse |
Eliza Pattle
(m. 1816; died 1820) |
Children | 1 daughter, 1 son: Jerningham Wakefield |
He was best known for his colonisation scheme, sometimes referred to as the Wakefield scheme, which aimed to populate the new colony South Australia with a workable combination of labourers, tradespeople, artisans and capital. The scheme was to be financed by the sale of land to the capitalists who would thereby support the other classes of emigrants.
Despite being imprisoned for three years in 1827 for kidnapping a fifteen-year-old girl in Britain, he enjoyed a lengthy career in colonial governments and colonial policy.