Alexander McLeay (aka Macleay) (1767-1848), public servant and entomologist, acquired an interest in insects while working as a clerk in London. He was elected a fellow of the Linnaean Society in 1794, and the Royal Society in 1809; for some 27 years he was secretary of the former. From 1795 he progressed in the public service, sat on many boards, and gave evidence to the select committee on transportation. Meanwhile, by 1825 he had amassed what was said to be the best insect collection of any private individual. That year he was appointed colonial secretary, assisting the new Governor Darling. He arrived in Sydney in January 1826 with his wife, six daughters and his collection. Throwing himself into his office, he was besides made a magistrate, was on the Executive and Legislative Councils, and involved himself to the utmost in the development of public institutions, notably the Library. Within a few years he had acquired much land, including 54 acres at Elizabeth Bay. In the late 1820s WC Wentworth's campaign against the conservative Darling extended to Macleay. When Darling's term ended in 1831, Macleay lost his official residence, but he was not recalled by the new Whig (liberal) government. However, clashing gravely with the new governor, Bourke, he resigned in protest on 2 January 1837. The following year, he claimed compensation from Bourke for injurious misrepresentation, and in due course was recompensed by the Colonial Office. Its gardens having been stocked with rare plants over many years, his home Elizabeth Bay House was built during the period 1835-1837. Macleay's fortunes had been in decline for some years; he had to borrow heavily from his son, William, and in due course subdivide most of his Elizabeth Bay estate and sell his private library. He was a member of the first part-elective Legislative Council in 1843 and soon after became Speaker, again annoying Wentworth; he resigned in 1846. Before he died as the result of a carriage accident his contributions to public affairs and to science had been widely acknowledged, even by Wentworth. The Macleay River is named for him, as are several other locations.
