Frédéric Guillaume de Pury
Frédéric Guillaume de Pury | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Neuchâtel, Switzerland |
| Died | November 11, 1890 (aged 58) Lausanne, Switzerland |
| Occupation(s) | Vintner, agriculturist, political figure, diplomat |
| Years active | 1852–1890 |
| Known for | Swiss Honorary Consul to Australia; founder of Yeringberg vineyard |
Baron Frédéric Guillaume de Pury (15 December 1831 – 11 November 1890) was a distinguished Swiss Australian vintner, agriculturist, political figure, and diplomat. He held the position of Swiss Honorary Consul to Australia based in Melbourne from 1875 until his passing in 1890. De Pury managed multiple vineyards located in Yering, distributing grapevines to markets in England, France, and other parts of Europe. He established the Australian branch of the De Pury family lineage.
Biography
Originating from Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Frédéric de Pury was born to Baron Edouard Charles Alexandre de Pury and Julie de Sandoz-Travers, belonging to a noble lineage ennobled by Frederick II of Prussia. In 1851, he relocated to England to pursue studies in the English language and agricultural sciences before moving to Victoria, Australia in 1852. His early career involved working on cattle estates owned by Paul de Castella at Yering. In 1855, he formed a partnership with Hubert de Castella to acquire Dalry station, later joined by his brother Samuel.
By 1860, de Pury had purchased property near Lilydale, which he named Cooring Yering and developed into a vineyard complete with a wine cellar. In collaboration with George Langdon in 1863, he bought 900 acres at Yering from creditors of de Castella and established the Yeringberg vineyard. By 1869, de Pury became the sole owner. The vineyard expanded to encompass 1,160 acres and produced over 90,000 litres of wine annually for export across Europe.
De Pury played an influential role within the Swiss community and local public administration. Appointed justice of the peace in 1862, he also served on the Upper Yarra District Roads Board for more than two decades. When the Shire of Lillydale was formed in 1872, he was elected as one of its inaugural councilors and subsequently served as its president. From 1875 until his death in 1890, he acted as honorary consul representing Swiss interests in Melbourne.
A devoted Protestant, de Pury supported the construction of an Anglican church in Lilydale. He was also involved in Indigenous matters, advising Aboriginal leader William Barak and contributing to a governmental investigation in 1881 concerning conditions at the Coranderrk Aboriginal station.
Personal life
Frédéric de Pury married Adelaide Augusta Ibbotson on 2 February 1869 at St James Cathedral. The couple had two sons: George Alphonse de Pury (1870–1956) and Montague Edouard de Pury (1873–1960).
He took part as a commissioner at the International Exhibition held in Melbourne. De Pury passed away on 11 November 1890 in Lausanne, Switzerland.