George Strickland Kingston facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir George Strickland Kingston
Born	(1807-08-23)23 August 1807 Bandon, County Cork, Ireland
Died	26 November 1880(1880-11-26) (aged 73) aboard the RMS Malwa on his way to India
Resting place	Buried at sea
Occupation	Surveyor, civil engineer, architect
Spouse(s)	Henrietta Ann McDonough (1807–1839), Ludovina Catherina da Silva Cameron (1824–1851), Emma Mary Ann Catherine Berry Lipson (1816–1876)
Children	Ludovina Cameron Kingston, b. 16 March 1842; Hester Holland Kingston, b. 30 October 1843; Charlotte Julian Kingston, b. 11 September 1845; George John Finnis Kingston, b. 26 May 1847; Strickland Gough Kingston, b. 18 December 1848; Charles Cameron Kingston, b. 22 October 1850
Parent(s)	George Kingston and Hester Holland
Member of South Australian Legislative Council
In office 10 July 1851 – 2 February 1857
Member for The Burra and Clare in the South Australian House of Assembly
In office 9 March 1857 – 22 March 1860
first Speaker of the South Australian House of Assembly of House of Assembly
In office 22 April 1857 – 22 March 1860
Member for Stanley in the South Australian House of Assembly
In office 6 May 1861 – 26 November 1880
Speaker of House of Assembly
In office 31 March 1865 – 26 November 1880

Sir George Strickland Kingston (born August 23, 1807 – died November 26, 1880) was an important figure in the early days of South Australia. He was a surveyor who helped map out the new colony. He arrived in South Australia in 1836 on a ship called the Cygnet. Kingston also became the very first Speaker of the South Australian House of Assembly, which is like the leader of the state's main law-making group.

Early Life and Beginnings

George Strickland Kingston was born in Bandon, County Cork, Ireland. He was one of five children. His father owned a lumberyard and some rental buildings. George later moved to England and worked in Birmingham. He played a big part in getting the South Australian Act passed in 1834. This law was important for setting up the new colony. He helped convince the British Parliament to approve it.

Surveying South Australia

Kingston was chosen to be the deputy surveyor for the new colony. He sailed with many other surveyors on the ship Cygnet in March 1836. The ship made a stop in Rio de Janeiro for supplies, which meant it arrived in South Australia a bit later than planned. However, it was Kingston, along with John Morphett and Lieutenant W.G. Field, who discovered the River Torrens. This river was very important for the location of the new city of Adelaide.

Kingston's work as a surveyor sometimes faced challenges. Some of his maps for Adelaide had to be re-checked by other surveyors. This caused a short delay in finishing the city's survey. In 1837, he went back to England to ask for more help for the survey team. When he returned, the orders he brought led to some changes, and many surveyors, including William Light, resigned. Kingston also left his surveying role soon after.

Later Career and Public Service

After leaving the survey department, Kingston became a civil engineer, architect, and surveyor. In 1840, he worked for the Adelaide Municipal Council as a town surveyor for a short time. He also became an inspector of public works and buildings.

Some of the buildings he designed are still standing today:

• Part of Government House, Adelaide (built in 1839).
• The original part of the Adelaide Gaol (built in 1840).
• Cummins House, Adelaide at Camden Park, South Australia (built in 1841).
• Kingston Historical House (built in 1840 and 1851).

He also designed the first monument for Colonel Light in Light Square, Adelaide in 1843.

Political Life

On July 10, 1851, Kingston became a member of South Australia's first elected parliament. He served in the South Australian Legislative Council until 1857. Then, in 1857, he was elected to the new South Australian House of Assembly. On April 22, 1857, he became the very first Speaker of the House of Assembly. This is a very important role, like being the chairperson of the parliament. He held this job until 1860 and then again from 1865 until he passed away in 1880.

Mining and Development

Kingston was very involved in the South Australian Mining Association. This group was formed to make sure that the valuable minerals found in the colony stayed within South Australia, rather than being controlled by people from other countries. He helped explore copper discoveries at Burra, South Australia in 1845. He became a director of the mining association in 1848 and later its chairman until his death. The "monster mine" at Burra was very successful, paying out large profits to its shareholders.

In 1858, Kingston helped survey the town of Kingston SE, South Australia, which was named after him.

Kingston was honored with a knighthood in 1870, which means he was given the title "Sir." He died in 1880 while traveling to India on a ship called the RMS Malwa. He was buried at sea.

Other Interests

Kingston was interested in the Volunteer movement, which was like a local defense force. He was once a captain of the East Adelaide Rifles. He also helped start The South Australian Lodge of Friendship, a Freemasons group. He kept detailed records of Adelaide's rainfall for many years, which was very useful. He was also a founding member and president of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia.

Family Life

George Strickland Kingston was married three times. His first wife, Henrietta Ann McDonough, passed away after ten years, and their only child died soon after birth. He then married Ludovina Catherina da Silva Cameron in 1841, and they had six children together. After she passed away, he married Emma Lipson in 1856. They did not have any children.

His youngest son, Charles Cameron Kingston, became a very famous politician. He was the Premier of South Australia from 1893 to 1899.

Places Named After Him

Several places in South Australia are named after Sir George Strickland Kingston:

• The Hundred of Kingston (a land division).
• Mount Kingston, near Lake Eyre.
• Kingston Park, South Australia (a suburb of Adelaide).
• The town of Kingston SE, South Australia.

The town of Kingston-on-Murray, South Australia was named after his son, Sir Charles Cameron Kingston.

Buildings Attributed to Sir George Strickland Kingston

• Ayers House, Adelaide
• Old Adelaide Gaol, Adelaide
• Original Treasury Building, Victoria Square, Adelaide
• Government House, Adelaide (part of it)
• Customs House, Glenelg
• Cummins House, Novar Gardens
• Kingston Historical House, Brighton
• Lochend House, Campbelltown, the home of Charles James Fox Campbell
• Residential Cottage Home, 3 Market Street, Burra