Richard Aldworth Oliver (1811 - 1889)

Accomplished watercolourist who in command of HMS Fly carried out surveys in New Zealand and Pacific waters, 1847–51. In 1849 the Fly was escort to Bishop Selwyn’s schooner Undine on his visit to New Caledonia and the New Hebrides. In 1852 A Series of Lithographic Drawings from Sketches in New Zealand was issued in England. These were after some of the many watercolours and pencil sketches of landscapes and studies of Maoris that Oliver made during his period in New Zealand. A collection of these, held by his grandson, was exhibited in New Zealand House, London, and in the Commonwealth Institute of Art, and was toured in USA by the Smithsonian Institute. Work included Centennial Ex Wtn 1940. Three watercolours 1847–51 are in Turnbull Library.