Biography

Robert Campbell (1843-1889)

Robert, the son of Robert Campbell and Anne Orr, was born at Buscot Park in Oxfordshire on 8 January 1843. His family had considerable influence and wealth from their interests in wool and gold in New South Wales. He was educated at Eton College, before coming to New Zealand where he began purchasing land from 1866 on behalf of the family firm Robert Campbell and Sons. By the 1870s this firm had acquired a number of large properties including Otekaieke Station situated between Duntroon and Kurow, Burwood in Southland, Station Peak across the Waitaki river near Hakataramea, the mighty Benmore Station near Omarama and Galloway in Central Otago.

He was a member of the Otago House of Representatives from 1866-69, also chairman of the Waitaki County Council for some years after 1877 and a member of the University Senate from 1871-1879.

In 1868 he married Emma Josephine Hawden, the daughter of Joseph Hawden. He returned to Britain to honeymoon with his wife, returning twice more in 1875 and 1881.

In 1876, the mansion at Otekaieke was built. He and his wife lived there with their many servants, and were well known for their hospitality.

Campbell’s opposition to land subdivision made him increasingly unpopular. At the same time, his heavy drinking made him less effective as a businessman and politician. He died at Dunedin on 9 December 1889, aged 46, after a long period of ill-health. Emma Campbell died on 17 April 1890. They had no children.

References:

— McDonald, D. C. ‘Campbell, Robert 1843 – 1889’. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/

— Southern People: A Dictionary of Otago Southland Biography

—Otago Daily Times Wednesday Jan 6th 2010