Richard Bourke Politician

General Sir Richard Bourke, KCB (4 May 1777 – 12 August 1855), was an Irish-born Governor of New South Wales, 1831-1837.As a lifelong Whig (Liberal), he encouraged the emancipation of convicts and helped bring forward the ending of transportation. In this, he faced strong opposition from the military/conservative establishment and its press. He approved a new settlement on the Yarra River, and named it Melbourne in honour of the incumbent British Prime Minister.