John Septimus Roe

John Septimus Roe was a renowned British surveyor and explorer who played a significant role in the history of Western Australia. Born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, Roe was educated at Christ's Hospital in London alongside notable figures such as Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Charles Lamb. He later attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, where he developed his skills in surveying and cartography, influenced by the works of Alexander Dalrymple and Matthew Flinders. Roe's early life was marked by his association with prominent individuals, including Joseph Banks and William Bligh, who would later shape his career as a surveyor and explorer in the British Empire.

● Early Life

John Septimus Roe was born to Thomas Roe and Mary Roe (née Maud) in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, in 1797. His early education took place at Christ's Hospital in London, where he was exposed to the works of William Shakespeare and John Milton. Roe's interest in surveying and navigation was sparked by the writings of James Cook and George Vancouver, who had explored the Pacific Ocean and Australian coastlines. He was also influenced by the British East India Company and its exploratory endeavors, including those of James Lancaster and Henry Middleton. Roe's family connections, including his uncle William Roe, who was a British Army officer, likely played a role in shaping his early interests and career aspirations, which were further influenced by the Napoleonic Wars and the Congress of Vienna.

● Career

Roe's career as a surveyor began in 1817, when he was appointed as a cadet in the British Army's Corps of Royal Engineers. He was stationed in Trinidad and Tobago, where he worked under the supervision of Governor Ralph Woodford, conducting surveys and mapping the island's topography. Roe's work in Trinidad and Tobago was influenced by the British colonization of the Americas and the Treaty of Amiens. In 1820, he was transferred to Western Australia, where he would spend the next several years exploring and mapping the region, often in collaboration with Governor James Stirling and Thomas Peel. Roe's career was marked by his association with notable figures, including Robert Brown, Joseph Dalton Hooker, and Charles Darwin, who were all influential in the fields of botany and natural history. He was also influenced by the Royal Geographical Society and its members, including John Barrow and William Desborough Cooley.

● Exploration of Western Australia

Roe's exploration of Western Australia began in 1820, when he arrived in the region as a surveyor and explorer. He conducted extensive surveys of the coastline and interior, often traveling with indigenous Australian guides, including Mokare and Manyat. Roe's expeditions took him to various parts of the region, including the Swan River Colony, King George Sound, and the Great Southern region, where he encountered the Noongar people. His work was influenced by the British colonization of Australia and the Treaty of Waitangi. Roe's exploration of Western Australia was also shaped by his interactions with other notable figures, including John Molloy, George Fletcher Moore, and Augustus Gregory, who were all involved in the exploration and settlement of the region. He was also influenced by the Western Australian Legislative Council and its members, including Stephen Henty and John Garrett Bussell.

● Surveyor-General of Western Australia

In 1829, Roe was appointed as the Surveyor-General of Western Australia, a position he held until 1870. As Surveyor-General, Roe was responsible for conducting surveys and mapping the region, as well as providing advice to the Government of Western Australia on matters related to land use and settlement. He worked closely with Governor James Stirling and other notable figures, including Thomas Peel and William Hutt, to shape the development of the region. Roe's work as Surveyor-General was influenced by the British Empire's policies on colonization and land ownership, as well as the Australian gold rushes and the Eureka Stockade. He was also influenced by the Western Australian Goldfields, including the Kalgoorlie gold rush and the Coolgardie gold rush.

● Later Life and Legacy

Roe's later life was marked by his continued involvement in the development of Western Australia. He remained in the region until his death in 1878, and was buried in East Perth Cemetery. Roe's legacy as a surveyor and explorer is still recognized today, with numerous geographical features and institutions named in his honor, including the Roe Highway and the John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School. His work had a significant impact on the history of Western Australia, and he is remembered as one of the region's most important pioneers. Roe's legacy is also commemorated by the Royal Western Australian Historical Society and the Western Australian Museum, which house many of his maps and documents. He is also remembered by the University of Western Australia and the Curtin University, which have both recognized his contributions to the history of Western Australia.