Record

Entry TypePerson
SurnameKay
ForenamesWilliam Porden
Epithetarchitect, surveyor, engineer and public servant
Dates1809-1897
Gender IdentityMale
HistoryAs the nephew of Sir John Franklin through his first wife Eleanor Anne (nee Porden) he was invited to Van Diemen's Land, where Franklin was then Lieutenant-Governor, arriving in Hobart on 20 May 1842; he was appointed to a number of different posts, including Director of Public Works and Colonial Architect from June 1842 to Dec 1858, and left Tasmania on 3 Feb 1860 to return to England for the remainder of his life; he had earlier been given leave to return to England from March 1853 to Nov 1854 owing to failing eyesight.

KEY EVENTS
Born 20 Apr 1809
Died in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, 29 Apr 1897
RelationshipsHe was one of the 8 children of Joseph Kay and his wife Sarah Henrietta (nee Porden): he followed his father's trade of architect, which was also that of his grandfather William Porden; he married Clara Ann Elwall on 3 Apr 1845 at St John's, New Town, Tasmania; they had one daughter Virginia Porden (born 19 Dec 1849).
SourceAustralian Dictionary of Biography online
Authorised Form of NameKay; William Porden (1809-1897); architect, surveyor, engineer and public servant

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