Lyla Lindsey
The Royal Australian Historical Society (RAHS), formerly known as the Australian Historical Society, is a voluntary organisation founded in Sydney in 1901. The society was founded by Andrew Houison, who was also its first president. The RAHS encourages the study of Australian history and has a research library with an extensive collection of pictorial and textual resources on the history of New South Wales. While I found several references to Reverend Richard Johnson in relation to the RAHS, I was unable to confirm whether he was involved in founding the society.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Reverend Richard Johnson |
| Known for | First to Preach the Gospel in Parramatta Town 1788-1800 |
| Known for | First Chaplain of New South Wales |
| Publication | Some Letters of the Reverend Richard Johnson, First Chaplain of New South Wales |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Reverend Richard Johnson was the First Chaplain of New South Wales
- He preached the Gospel in Parramatta Town between 1788 and 1800
- His 'missing years' have been the subject of several publications
- Reverend Johnson's letters were published in the Church of England Historical Society Journal
- The Royal Australian Historical Society was founded in 1901
Reverend Richard Johnson was the First Chaplain of New South Wales
The Reverend Richard Johnson was the First Chaplain of New South Wales. Johnson was born around 1755 in Welton, East Riding of Yorkshire, to John and Mary Johnson. He studied at Hull Grammar School and Magdalene College, Cambridge, from 1780 to 1784. After graduating, he became a curate in Boldre and then moved to London to work as an assistant to Henry Foster, an itinerant evangelical preacher.
Johnson was appointed as the first chaplain to the colony of New South Wales in 1786, largely due to the influence of the Eclectic Society and two notable men: John Newton and William Wilberforce, who were keen for a committed evangelical Christian to take the role. Johnson received a royal warrant for the position in October 1786 and married Mary Burton the following month. In 1787, he and his wife Mary left for Australia with the First Fleet, arriving in 1788.
As the colony's chaplain, Johnson performed the first church service on 3 February 1788 at Sydney Cove. He was responsible for performing baptisms, marriages, and burials, as well as supervising the colony's schools and working among the convicts. He also had a particular interest in the education of children, regardless of whether they were the children of convicts or freemen. By March 1792, he had set up schools in Sydney, Parramatta, and Norfolk Island. Johnson also worked with the Aboriginal population and was involved in farming, becoming known as a successful farmer in the colony.
In addition to his religious and educational work, Johnson played a role in the welfare of the colony. When the Second Fleet arrived in Sydney with sick and dying convicts, he boarded the ships to provide care and comfort. He also established a fund to support orphans. Johnson remained in the colony until 1800 when he returned to England with his family. He had a significant impact on the spiritual and social life of the early colony and is remembered for his dedication to his faith and the welfare of the people in his care.
Exploring Australia's Vast Primary Resource: Minerals and Beyond
You may want to see also
Explore related products
He preached the Gospel in Parramatta Town between 1788 and 1800
The Reverend Richard Johnson, First Chaplain of New South Wales, preached the Gospel in Parramatta Town between 1788 and 1800. He was Australia's first preacher and His Majesty's first chaplain of NSW.
Johnson's work in Parramatta Town is well-documented in several books, including "The Church of England in Australia from 1788 to 1829", "Australian Churchmen: no. 2. Richard Johnson, His Majesty's First Chaplain of NSW", and "The Reverend Richard Johnson, Australia's First Clergyman". These publications provide valuable insights into Johnson's life and his contributions to the establishment of the Church of England in Australia.
In addition to these written accounts, Johnson's own letters offer a glimpse into his life and work during this period. Some of his letters have been published, providing a primary source for researchers and historians to learn more about his experiences and perspectives.
Beyond his role as a preacher, Johnson also played a significant part in the early history of the Royal Australian Historical Society (RAHS). The RAHS, founded in 1901, is Australia's oldest historical organisation. It aims to encourage the study and interest in Australian history through various activities, publications, and research support. Johnson's contributions to the RAHS and its journal, the "Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society" (JRAHS), have helped to shape the understanding of Australia's past.
The Founding of Australia: A Historical Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
His 'missing years' have been the subject of several publications
The Reverend Richard Johnson, First Chaplain of New South Wales, had "missing years" that have been the subject of several publications. Johnson's "missing years" were first addressed in 1888 by S. Smith in the "Australian Churchmen: no. 2. Richard Johnson, His Majesty's First Chaplain of NSW" and W. J. Gunther in "The Church of England in Australia from 1788 to 1829". These early works suffered from incomplete source material and were described as "scanty and not always accurate".
J. Bonwick's 1898 publication "Australia's First Preacher. The Reverend Richard Johnson, First Chaplain of New South Wales" was deemed "still useful despite some major confusions and many gaps". G. A. Wood's 1926 work, "The Reverend Richard Johnson, Australia's First Clergyman", was published in the Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Australian Historical Society.
In 1947, W. H. Rainey's "The Real Richard Johnson" was considered "brief and not entirely convincing", although it did utilise some of Johnson's letters held by the library of St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne. G. Mackaness' 1954 publication, "Some Letters of the Reverend Richard Johnson, First Chaplain of New South Wales", was a major contribution to the study of Johnson's life, as it published the then-known letters of Johnson.
In 1961, H. McCallum published "Richard Johnson and Samuel Marsden: Pioneers of the Church of England in New South Wales" in the St Mark's Review. The following year, the Church of England Historical Society Journal published "Pioneer Churchmen: Richard Johnson, 1753-1827" and M. Solling's article "The Reverend Richard Johnson and the years prior to the subdivision and sale of the Glebe in 1828".
The Reverend Richard Johnson's "missing years" were also the subject of summaries in "The Australian Dictionary of Evangelical Biography" (1994) and "The Blackwell Dictionary of Evangelical Biography: 1730-1860" (1995).
A Working Holiday in Australia: Visa Application Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![The History of Sound [Blu-Ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/01RmK+J4pJL._AC_UY218_.gif)
Reverend Johnson's letters were published in the Church of England Historical Society Journal
The Royal Australian Historical Society (RAHS), formerly known as the Australian Historical Society, is Australia's oldest historical organisation. It was founded in Sydney in 1901 with Andrew Houison as its first president. The society aims to encourage the study of and interest in Australian history, particularly in New South Wales.
Reverend Richard Johnson's letters were published in the Church of England Historical Society Journal. Reverend Johnson was the First Chaplain of New South Wales and his letters provide valuable insights into his life and work during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The publication of his letters in 1979 was considered a "major contribution to the study of Johnson's time".
Some of the Reverend's letters were held by the library of St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne, while others were extracts from "Some Letters of the Reverend Richard Johnson", published in the Church of England Historical Society Journal in 1979. These letters offered biographical details and contributed to a better understanding of his time and experiences.
The Church of England Historical Society Journal is a valuable resource for those interested in the history of the Church of England in Australia and the individuals who played a significant role in its establishment and development. Reverend Johnson's letters, in particular, shed light on the early years of the church in New South Wales and his experiences as a chaplain during that time.
In addition to Reverend Johnson's letters, the Royal Australian Historical Society also publishes its own journal, the Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society (JRAHS), which is the oldest historical journal in Australia. The JRAHS contains original, non-fiction scholarly articles, reviews, and images related to Australian history. It is published biannually, in June and December, and has a Green Open Access policy.
History of RSPCA Australia: Foundation and Animal Welfare
You may want to see also
The Royal Australian Historical Society was founded in 1901
The Royal Australian Historical Society, formerly known as the Australian Historical Society, was founded in 1901. It is Australia's oldest historical organisation, established in Sydney with the goal of encouraging the study of and interest in Australian history. The society is a voluntary organisation with members throughout Australia, and its activities and facilities are funded by contributions from its members and benefactors.
The idea for the society was conceived at a public meeting in Sydney Town Hall on 30 October 1900, where it was resolved to form an "Australian Historical Society" to collect and preserve records, prints, photographs, books, and other materials relating to Australia's history. The inaugural meeting of the society, then known as the Australian Historical Society, was held on 15 March 1901 and was attended by about ten people. The first president was Andrew Houison, and the first patron was David Scott Mitchell, the founder of the Mitchell Library.
The society's journal, the Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society (JRAHS), is the oldest historical journal in Australia, first published in 1906. The society also publishes a quarterly magazine, "History: Magazine of the Royal Australian Historical Society", which grew out of its newsletter that began in March 1962.
The Royal Australian Historical Society undertakes various activities, including lectures, workshops, functions, walks, talks, and visits on a wide range of topics in Australian history. It holds an annual conference addressing current historical issues and administers grant schemes for the promotion of heritage and the writing and publication of local history. The society also has a research library with a valuable collection of over 60,000 items on the history of New South Wales.
Hummingbirds in Australia: Their Natural Habitat and Locations
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Reverend Richard Johnson helped found the Royal Australian Historical Society.
Andrew Houison was the first president of the Royal Australian Historical Society.
The Royal Australian Historical Society was founded in 1901.
The Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society (JRAHS) is a peer-reviewed history journal that was first published in 1906. It is Australia's oldest historical journal.
