Alexander Riley (merchant)
Alexander Riley | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1778 Middlesex, London, England |
| Died | 1833-11-17 London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant, pastoralist |
| Years active | Early 19th century |
| Known for | Early Australian pastoralism, founding Bank of New South Wales, first marine insurance broker in New South Wales |
Alexander Riley (1778 – 17 November 1833) was a prominent merchant and an influential early pastoralist in Sydney and New South Wales. Originating from London, he was the eldest son of George Riley Sr., a bookseller, and elder sibling to Edward Riley, who also gained recognition as a successful merchant and pastoralist in Sydney. In 1804, Riley emigrated to Australia, following two sisters who were married to officers of the New South Wales Corps—Captains Ralph Wilson and Anthony Fenn Kemp. Together with Edward, they rose to become some of the wealthiest figures in Australia.
Life
Riley was born in Middlesex, London, as the second eldest among five children. He wed Sophia Hardwicke in London on 30 October 1804 and arrived in Australia aboard the Experiment in June 1805. Lieutenant Governor Patterson granted him substantial land near Liverpool, including a property at the Hawkesbury. Riley held positions as storekeeper and magistrate at Port Dalrymple, where his sisters resided, and was appointed deputy-commissary in 1805, a role that enabled him to capitalize on international trade prospects. When Patterson assumed command of New South Wales in January 1809, Riley relocated to Sydney alongside him. In Sydney, he concentrated on developing his Liverpool land grant known as Raby and cultivated an interest in sheep grazing.
Other careers
Riley amassed his fortune through diverse business activities. He co-established the international trading company Jones & Riley with Richard Jones, managing import-export operations between Calcutta and Canton until the 1820s. He sustained commercial relationships with his brother Edward in Calcutta and with W.S. Davidson based in Canton. In 1816, Riley was instrumental in founding the Bank of New South Wales (now Westpac) and became the first marine insurance broker in New South Wales. Additionally, he held partial ownership of two vessels that undertook seven whaling expeditions between 1820 and 1824.
In 1817, Riley withdrew from Jones & Riley, delegating all business matters to Edward, who had moved to New South Wales around 1815. He acquired the ship Harriet and departed for London with his family on 22 December 1817, likely motivated by dissatisfaction with the East India Company's trade monopoly. Settling in London, he managed a mercantile enterprise while preserving commercial connections with New South Wales.
By 1819, Riley became associated with the esteemed firm Donaldson, Wilkinson & Co, which represented colonial trade interests.
In August 1825, supported by Edward and his nephew Edward Jr (born 1806), Riley exported Australia's inaugural flock of Saxon merino sheep aboard the Sir George Osborne. This shipment formed the cornerstone of Australia's wool industry, which significantly contributed to the nation's economic success for over a century. Following Edward Sr.'s death, Edward Jr. maintained stewardship of the sheep. Subsequently, Riley secured one of the earliest pastoral leases within the Yass-Canberra district.
Alexander Riley passed away in London on 17 November 1833.