Richard Bowker
Encyclopedia
Richard Ryther Steer Bowker (30 August 1815 – 3 April 1903) was an Australia
n physician, surgeon and politician.
Bowker the son of Thomas Dawson and Elizabeth Steer and born at Campsall, Yorkshire
, England
. He was awarded diplomas in botany and materia medica in Paris
in 1836 and an MD
from the University of St Andrews
in 1839. He visited Australia in the emigrant ship, the Shepherd and then migrated to Melbourne
, Victoria
in the Georgiana in February 1841.
In New South Wales, Bowker was appointed as a medical practitioner to the Loyal Union Lodge in Newcastle in 1842, resigning in 1844. He was a surgeon on ships transporting coolies from India to Mauritius
and Durban
in 1846-1847. He was reappointed to the Loyal Union Lodge in 1847. From 1851 to 1853, he researched tropical diseases in the East Indies
. He briefly returned to Newcastle and then went to England gaining a Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians
and a Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons
in 1854. Bowker returned to Newcastle and was elected to the Legislative Assembly
as member for North-Eastern Boroughs
from January 1858 to 1859. He married Lydia Frances Phillips in November 1858 and they eventually had issue three daughters and six sons.
From 1862 or 1863 until 1874, Bowker was simultaneously assistant surgeon for the Volunteer Artillery, health officer for Newcastle and government medical officer. He was particularly concerned to prevent the practice of placing cemeteries, such as the existing cemetery at Christ Church, in the urban area, where they could pollute wells and swamps, which were still used for collecting water for household use. Eventually, he persuaded the Council
to build its new cemetery at Sandgate
, well away from the urban area. Apart from his public health interests, he also gained a reputation as an eye surgeon.
Bowker also owned ships, and valuable city properties and owned 22 acres (89,030.9 m²) of land at Waratah
. He bred race horses at his estate, Bona Vista near Paterson
. He was the member for Newcastle
from 1877-1888. In 1888, he was appointed for life to the Legislative Council
. In 1873, he moved to Avoca House at Darling Point
in Sydney, where he died.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n physician, surgeon and politician.
Bowker the son of Thomas Dawson and Elizabeth Steer and born at Campsall, Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He was awarded diplomas in botany and materia medica in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in 1836 and an MD
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
from the University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
in 1839. He visited Australia in the emigrant ship, the Shepherd and then migrated to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
in the Georgiana in February 1841.
In New South Wales, Bowker was appointed as a medical practitioner to the Loyal Union Lodge in Newcastle in 1842, resigning in 1844. He was a surgeon on ships transporting coolies from India to Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
and Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
in 1846-1847. He was reappointed to the Loyal Union Lodge in 1847. From 1851 to 1853, he researched tropical diseases in the East Indies
East Indies
East Indies is a term used by Europeans from the 16th century onwards to identify what is now known as Indian subcontinent or South Asia, Southeastern Asia, and the islands of Oceania, including the Malay Archipelago and the Philippines...
. He briefly returned to Newcastle and then went to England gaining a Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians
Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
and a Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons
Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons
Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons is a professional qualification to practise as a surgeon in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland...
in 1854. Bowker returned to Newcastle and was elected to the Legislative Assembly
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The other chamber is the Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney...
as member for North-Eastern Boroughs
Electoral district of North Eastern Boroughs
North Eastern Boroughs was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales from 1856 to 1859 that included the towns of Newcastle, Stockton and Raymond Terrace. It was partly replaced by the electoral district of Newcastle and the electoral district of...
from January 1858 to 1859. He married Lydia Frances Phillips in November 1858 and they eventually had issue three daughters and six sons.
From 1862 or 1863 until 1874, Bowker was simultaneously assistant surgeon for the Volunteer Artillery, health officer for Newcastle and government medical officer. He was particularly concerned to prevent the practice of placing cemeteries, such as the existing cemetery at Christ Church, in the urban area, where they could pollute wells and swamps, which were still used for collecting water for household use. Eventually, he persuaded the Council
City of Newcastle
Newcastle City Council is a Local Government Area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia.-Demographics:According to the Australian Bureau Statistics the City of Newcastle had an estimated resident population of 154,777 as of 30 June 2008...
to build its new cemetery at Sandgate
Sandgate, New South Wales
Sandgate is a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, located from Newcastle's central business district. It is part of the City of Newcastle local government area.It has a railway station on the Hunter Line....
, well away from the urban area. Apart from his public health interests, he also gained a reputation as an eye surgeon.
Bowker also owned ships, and valuable city properties and owned 22 acres (89,030.9 m²) of land at Waratah
Waratah, New South Wales
Waratah is a north-western residential suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, located from Newcastle's central business district and bounded on the north by the Main North line. Waratah station was opened in 1858 and is served by CityRail's Hunter line.- History :Waratah was once a major...
. He bred race horses at his estate, Bona Vista near Paterson
Paterson, New South Wales
Paterson is a small township in the lower Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia. Located within Dungog Shire it is situated on the Paterson River. At the 2006 census, Paterson had a population of 345 people...
. He was the member for Newcastle
Electoral district of Newcastle
Newcastle is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales named after and including Newcastle. It is represented by Tim Owen of the Liberal Party of Australia.-History:...
from 1877-1888. In 1888, he was appointed for life to the Legislative Council
New South Wales Legislative Council
The New South Wales Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. The other is the Legislative Assembly. Both sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney. The Assembly is referred to as the lower house and the Council as...
. In 1873, he moved to Avoca House at Darling Point
Darling Point, New South Wales
Darling Point is a harbourside, eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Darling Point is located 4 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district and is part of the local government area of Woollahra Council....
in Sydney, where he died.