President Lord Augustus Loftus Biography

Lord Augustus Loftus                   (1817 – 1904)

[Image Courtesy State Library NSW]

President Agricultural Society of New South Wales 1879 - 1881

Born in Bristol, Lord Loftus was the fourth son of the second Marquis of Ely. He was appointed to the diplomatic service at the age of 20, serving in European royal courts in various roles, then as ambassador to Berlin and St Petersburg.

In the twilight of his career Loftus was appointed governor of NSW. Though he helped resolve political deadlocks using tact and persuasion, he had little knowledge of colonial affairs and kept his public involvement to a minimum. He led an increasingly retiring life, spending much of his time at Hillview, a property in Moss Vale.

Following custom, Loftus was invited to become president of the Society, taking up the position one week before the opening of the Sydney International Exhibition, which ran from September 1879 to April 1880. The Exhibition was a huge success but a period of administrative turmoil followed and after the 1881 Show the Society’s finances were in crisis. Drastic measures were needed to tackle debt and develop the rough terrain of the new, cheaper Moore Park venue. At a general meeting  the Council suspended all existing rules, vesting all power in a management board of five. Walter Lamb was appointed chairman, effectively ending Lord Loftus’s presidency.

Lord Loftus retired to England in 1885 and was declared bankrupt two years later.

A full list of Presidents can be found here.