Mr. R. Daintree, Agent-general for Queensland.

Scarce colonial engraved portrait of Richard Daintree CMG (1832-1878) was a pioneering Australian geologist and photographer.

Daintree was the first Government geologist for North Queensland discovering gold fields and coal seams for future mining. He also was a pioneer in the use of photography during field trips and his photographs formed the basis of Queensland’s contribution to the Exhibition of Arts and Industry in 1871. Following the success of the display, he was appointed as Queensland’s Agent-General in London in 1872 but was forced to resign in 1876 due to ill-health. A number of features in North Queensland have been named after him including the town of Daintree, the Daintree National Park, the Daintree River, the Daintree Rainforest and the Daintree Reef.

From the original edition of the Australasian Sketcher.

Collections:
National Library Australia: Bib ID 914558
State Library New South Wales: REF1/MAV/FM4/9236-9239
State Library Victoria: PCINF AS 17-05-73 P.17