Benjamin Mendes da Costa (1803-1868) was an English merchant and philanthropist. In July 1840 he emigrated to the newly settled colony of South Australia

South Australia

South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...

, becoming a successful merchant on Hindley Street

Hindley Street, Adelaide

Hindley Street is located in the West End of the centre of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. It runs between King William Street and West Terrace. The street was named after British parliamentarian and social reformist, Charles Hindley....

 and acquiring significant landholdings in the city centre. Da Costa left the colony in 1848, but bequeathed a significant sum of money to St Peter's College, Adelaide

St Peter's College, Adelaide

St Peter's College, , is an independent boy's school in the South Australian capital of Adelaide...

 upon his death in 1868. The school has named a hall, a house

School

A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...

and a scholarship in his honour.