George Gawler - Legacy

Legacy

In 1845, Gawler wrote a book in which he suggested that Jews be allowed to establish Jewish agricultural settlements in the Land of Israel as compensation for their suffering in Europe and under Turkish rule. In 1849 he toured Israel with Moses Montefiore. Two years later (in 1852), he established an association for the colonization of Palestine. Gawler died in Southsea and was buried in Portsmouth.

The town of Gawler was named after him, as it was surveyed soon after he arrived. The Gawler Ranges at the north end of Eyre Peninsula are also named after him. Derby's Town and County Museum in the 1830s included Gawler in its list of principal benefactors. Gawler had contributed a collection of minerals and exotic stuffed birds which included an albatross from his time as governor. In addition Gawler's gardener, Joseph Whittaker, in Australia contributed hundreds of pressed flowers and plants to Derby Museum and to Kew Gardens.