The C J La Trobe Society


Charles Joseph La Trobe (1801–1875)

  • Charles La Trobe was appointed Superintendent of the Port Phillip District of New South Wales in early 1839. This was only four years after the establishment of a settlement on the banks of the Yarra River, named Melbourne in 1837.
  • La Trobe reported to the Governor in Sydney until 1851 when he became Lieutenant-Governor of the Colony of Victoria following Separation from New South Wales. He held this position until 1854 when he returned to Europe.
  • The La Trobe family is descended from French Huguenots (Protestant refugees) in southern France. In later generations they became members of the Moravian Church, which originated in central Europe.
  • La Trobe was educated from age 6 to 18 at the Moravian boarding school in northern England, near Leeds. He became a cultured man with many skills, wide interests and great energy.  He was accomplished in botany, geology, music, writing, drawing and as a watercolourist.  He was also a traveller and adventurer (and great horseman).
  • His first official employment in 1837 was to travel to the British West Indies to inspect and report to the Government in London on the progress being made in educating the newly liberated slaves there. His family was known in British Colonial Office circles due his father’s close connection with the anti-slavery campaigner, William Wilberforce.  The Reports he submitted were well received.
  • His appointment as Superintendent of the Port Phillip District followed, arriving in Melbourne in September 1839 with his wife, Sophie and their two-year-old daughter, Agnes.
  • He faced great challenges, particularly during the Gold-Rush period, and was criticised in many quarters,while praised in others.
  • La Trobe was a very important figure in the early development of Victoria. His legacy includes:
    • concern for public welfare
    • overseeing the establishment of institutions which he considered important in a civilised society, such as Melbourne University and the Public Library, now the State Library Victoria.
    • reserving significant tracts of land for public use, such as the Royal Botanic Gardens and Royal Park in Melbourne, and in regional areas.

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