President Sir John Jamison Biography
Sir John Jamison (1776-1844)
President Agricultural Society of New South Wales 1822; 1824 – 1836
Sir John Jamison was born in Ireland, the son of a First Fleet surgeon’s mate. Following in his father’s footsteps he became a naval physician. For his efforts in controlling a scurvy outbreak in the Swedish navy he was awarded a knighthood by the King of Sweden and later made knight bachelor by the Prince Regent.
Jamison arrived in Sydney in 1814 to attend to a portfolio of properties inherited from his father. He was a man of many interests and enthusiastically embraced colonial life and agricultural pursuits, developing his Penrith estate, Regentville, into a model property.
He was elected unopposed as the founding president of the Society but resigned shortly after over a difference with Governor Brisbane. When re-elected in 1824, he worked energetically for the Society and the promotion of scientific farming.
A public spirited person, he was a founder of Sydney College and the Sydney Turf Club and belonged to many other organisations including the Australian Museum and the Botanical Gardens committee.
A full list of Presidents can be found here.