WILLIAM SWAINSON ( 1789 - 1855 )

William John Swainson (1789 - 1855), was a naturalist and ornithologist from England. He worked in customs in Liverpool and spent several years overseas in both Sicily and Brazil. In 1840, Swainson and his family sailed for New Zealand arriving in Wellington in 1841. Swainson drew many sketches of the early Wellington region, detailing farms, houses and his surroundings. He was a member of the NZ Royal Society, The New Zealand Company, and the Royal Society in London. 

The provenance of these drawings by William Swainson is by direct descent from the artist: William John Swainson FLS FRS (1789-1855) Edwin Newcombe Swainson (1834-1913) Son of above Lilian (Swainson) Hamilton (1865-1939) Daughter of above Ian Bogle Montieth Hamilton (1890-1971) Son of above estate of Alexander Hamilton (1932-2020) Son of above; Lowood House Melrose Scotland.