Adelaide's Founder & Surveyor - Colonel.William Light

Colonel William Light, was the first Surveyor-General of South Australia. 
He arrived in South Australia in 1836, with the task of deciding upon the site for Adelaide. His survey of Adelaide began on 11 January, 1837, at the north-western corner of Adelaide, at the junction of North and West Terraces. The Newmarket Hotel is directly across the exact location on North Terrace

The work was completed on 10 March 1837

The naming of streets and squares took place on 23 May, 1837.

A granite obelisk marking the commencement of the survey is located on the northern side of the intersection. 

Colonel Light was born at Kuala Kedah, Malaya on 27 April, 1786.
Colonel Light died, when aged 53, from tuberculosis on 6 th October, 1839, and on the 10 th of October, he was buried in Light Square, Adelaide.

There is now a memorial over his grave in the form of a marble column.

A fine statue of Colonel Light was moved from Victoria Square to Montefiore Hill, North Adelaide, in 1938, and this area is known as Light's Vision.

Montefiore Hill provides an excellent vantage point to look over the City of Adelaide. Near its apex, in a small park, is a Statue of Colonel William Light, who designed Adelaide as a square mile of north, south, east-west streets including a central park and surrounded by parklands.
His design is recognised as one of the most practical and beautiful in the world and the spot from where you can view this panorama and observe his statue with outstretched arm is known as Light's Vision.

Light had actually been nominated as the first and founding Governor of the new colony of South Australia by Sir Charles Napier, who had refused the position himself. It went however, to John Hindmarsh, and Light was appointed Surveyor General.

Light's father, Francis, founded a settlement of the massive trading company, the 'East India Company' at Georgetown on the island of Penang. Light inherited his fortune, but was swindled out of it. He had married the rich and beautiful Mary Bennett in 1824 but she had left him taking her fortune with her.
A Napoleonic War Veteran, he had survived many battles of the Peninsula Wars unscathed. Dashing, daring, and a good linguist, he was adequately suited to the new post which paid a measly £400 ($800.00) a year.
Light's Instructions for the founding of the city from the Commissioners were:........

• A commodious harbour, safe and accessible at all seasons of the year
  
• A considerable tract of fertile land immediately adjoining
  
• An adundant supply of fresh water
  
• Facilities for internal communication
  
• Facilities for communications with other ports
  
• Distance from the limits of the colony
  
• The neighbourhood of extensive sheepwalks
  
• A supply of buildings materials such as timber, stone or brick, earth and lime
  
• Facilities for drainage
  
• Coal
  Despite protestations from Hindmarsh and others about the location, Light set about his arduous task and laid out what is considered to be one of the best planned cities in the world.
  Disillusioned with conflict and lack of support Light resigned in 1838, his job completed. In his letter of resignation to Lord Wakefield he said.
  " There never was so large a colony entrusted to one man to found ".
  Adelaide citizens today enjoy the results of this mans planning and vision and a visit to this memorial park is mild homage.

  He died penniless and dejected of tuberculosis in Adelaide in October 1839 aged 54.
  
  
  Light is buried in Light Square, Adelaide and a small monument honours his achievements.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Information is from 'Adelaide - From Colony to Jubilee' by Derek Whitelock.
  By Savvas Publishing. ISNB 0 7022 140