John GilbertPrint Page 
This marble tablet was erected by the colonists of New South Wales to commemorate John Gilbert, ornithologist, who was speared by Aborigines during the first overland expedition to Port Essington by Dr Ludwig Leichhardt.
John Gilbert (1812 - 1845) was Gould`s principal collector in Australia and was a talented observer who endured considerable hardship while travelling in the Australian bush collecting for his employer. Gilbert started his career as a taxidermist a year after Gould at the Zoological Society of London, and later accompanied the Goulds to Australia. Gilbert visited Australia twice and, over a period of six years, collected thousands of specimens from all over the country. Gilbert accompanied Gould on his trip to Australia in May 1838 to collect specimens.
Gilbert was killed by an Aboriginal spear in the neck while travelling on Ludwig Leichhardt`s overland expedition to Port Essington.
Location
| Address: | 173 King Street, St James Anglican Church, North Wall No 107, Sydney, 2000 |
|---|---|
| State: | NSW |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -33.869486 Long: 151.211172 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Plaque |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Science |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 29-June-1845 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 29-June-1845 |
Dedication
Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Scientia Mori
This monument is erected by the colonists of New South Wales
In memory of John Gilbert, Ornithologist.
Who was speared by the Blacks on the 29th of June 1845 during the first overland expedition to Port Essington by Dr Ludwig Leichhardt and his intrepid companions.
