Governor la trobe biography of christopher

English-born Australian colonial administrator

Charles Joseph La TrobeCB (20 March 1801 – 4 December 1875), commonly Latrobe, was appointed in 1839 superintendent of the Port Phillip District of New South Wales and, after the establishment in 1851 of the colony of Victoria (now a state of Australia), he became its first lieutenant-governor.^[1]

La Trobe was a strong supporter of religious, cultural and educational institutions.^[2][3] During his time as superintendent and lieutenant-governor he oversaw the establishment of the Botanic Gardens,^[4] and provided leadership and support to the formation of entities such as the Mechanic's Institute,^[5] the Royal Melbourne Hospital, the Royal Philharmonic, the Melbourne Cricket Ground^[6][7] and the University of Melbourne.^[2]

La Trobe was the nephew of British architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe.^{[citation needed]}