Leen Helmink Antique Maps

Captain (later Sir) James Stirling was the first Governor of the Colony of Western Australia, from 30 December 1828 until 2 January 1839.

He was born on 28 January 1791 in Lanarkshire, Scotland. In 1826 he commanded HMS Success to report on the Swan River. In June 1829 he formed a British settlement in Western Australia.

Shortly after, Stirling led a group of officials, soldiers and sailors up the Swan Estuary landing near the site of the present Stirling Gardens, adjacent to what is now the Government House Domain. The party cleared the land and erected tents on a patch of higher ground and from this campsite the city of Perth evolved.

Stirling was married to Ellen Mangles and they had eleven children; five sons and six daughters.

(Government House Western Australia)