Henry Hopkins (1787–1870), merchant and philanthropist, opened his first shop on Elizabeth Street in Hobart soon after arriving in the colony in September 1822. Having worked as a wool classer in England, Hopkins became involved in the development of the wool trade and is credited with the first export of wool from the colony. He quickly prospered, and by the late 1830s had expanded his wool growing interests into Victoria. By the middle of the 1840s, he was being described by the lieutenant-governor as ‘a gentleman retired from all business, residing in Hobart Town and living on a large independent fortune.’ In addition to his various mercantile interests, Hopkins served as a magistrate; on the Legislative Council; and as a director of bodies such as the Bank of Van Diemen’s Land and the Hobart Gas Company. He was also a generous donor to schools, missionary societies and the church, donating funds for the building of St David’s Cathedral, the All Saints’ Anglican Church and several other chapels in Hobart. On his death ‘at the good old age of eighty-four’ he was described as ‘one of the pioneers of Tasmanian colonisation.’ ‘He was’, his obituary stated, ‘the special patron of all our religious, educational and charitable institutions, and his liberality in this direction has made his name famous throughout Australasia and Great Britain.’ He was survived by his six children.
