Archer, William Henry (1825-1909)

Also known as
Archer, W. H. (William Henry) (1825-1909)
Field of activity
barrister; Catholic lay leader; public servant; registrar-general; statistician; Statistician and Amateur scientist
Libraries Australia
http://nla.gov.au/anbd.aut-an35066957
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-465157

Biographies

ARCHER, WILLIAM HENRY (1825-1909), statistician and public servant, was born on 13 November 1825 in London, the elder son of William Archer, general dealer, and his wife Sarah, née Adams. From an early age he had to contribute to his family's support, but in 1841 joined the Medical, Invalid and General Life Assurance Co. as a clerk to train under the actuary, Francis Gustavus Pavius Neison. In his spare time he studied French, Spanish and German. He was converted to Roman Catholicism in 1848 and at once took a leading part in attempts to place Catholic friendly societies on a secure footing. In 1850 he became managing actuary to the Catholic, Law and General Life Assurance Co.; when its failure to expand led to his demotion, he and his parents decided to follow his brother to Port Phillip.

View the full record at Australian Dictionary of Biography

William Archer, a London actuary, emigrated to Australia in 1852 to work for the Victorian Civil Service. By 1859 he was Registrar General and was Secretary for Lands 1874-1878. As well as being an eminent statistician he was an amateur microscopist and agronomist.

Employed as clerk to read the Act introducing compulsory civil registration of births, deaths and marriages, and recommending a plan for the guidance of the registrar-general 1853. Held some temporary appointments, legal work, articles and gave lectures from 1879. His botanical and zoological studies were encouraged by Ferdinand von Mueller.

  • 1841 - 1850 Career position - Clerk and Actuarial Trainee at the Medical, Invalid and General Life Assurance Co., UK
  • 1850 - 1852 Career position - Managing Actuary of the Catholic, Law and General Life Assurance Co., UK
  • 1852 Life event - Arrived in Australia (Melbourne)
  • 1853 Career position - Acting Registrar-General of the Victorian Civil Service
  • 1854 - 1859 Career position - Assistant Registrar-General with the Victorian Civil Service
  • 1859 - 1863 Career position - Registrar-General for the Victorian Civil Service
  • c. 1864 - Education - Law degree completed at University of Melbourne
  • 1867 Career position - Called to the Bar
  • 1868 - 1874 Career position - Registrar of Titles in Victoria
  • 1874 - 1878 Career position - Secretary of Lands and Survey in Victoria
  • 1878 - 1879 Career position - Lawyer for a life assurance company in Sydney

View the full record at Encyclopedia of Australian Science

Related people and organisations

Australian Dictionary of Biography

Resources for William Henry Archer

Selected resources (10)

Australian Dictionary of Biography

Encyclopedia of Australian Science

  1. The Contribution of W. H. Archer to Vital Statistics in the Colony of VictoriaAustralian Journal of Statistics 28 124-137 : The Contribution of W. H. Archer to Vital Statistics in the Colony of Victoria
    Hopper, John L.
    [1986]
  2. Pharmacy in Australia, letter to the EditorPharmaceutical Journal and Transactions 17 175-176 : Pharmacy in Australia, letter to the Editor
    Archer, William Henry
    [1857-1858]
    Published: J.& A. Churchill
  3. Archer, William Henry (1825-1909)Australian Dictionary of Biography Douglas Pike 3 41-43 : Archer, William Henry (1825-1909)
    Close, Cecily
    [1969]
    Published: Melbourne University Press
  4. Chemistry in Australia Bibliography
    Collins, David
    [2009]
    Published: eScholarship Research Centre
    Series: http://www.eoas.info/ciab.html
  5. Federation and Meteorology
    Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre
    [2001]
    Series: http://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/fam/
  6. Science and the making of Victoria
    Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre
    [2001]
    Series: http://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/smv/
  7. National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection: William Henry Archer - Records (1847 - 1866)
    48 Letters from a number of correspondents including: John Pascoe Fawkner, Carboni Raffaello, Rev. Patrick Smyth, Robert Hoddle, C.J. Tyers, Sir R.R. Torrens, F. Mueller, William Hovell and Owen Stanley concerning explorations, latitudes, the Eureka Stockade, meteorology, registration systems, Aborigines and other matters 1847-66.
    MS 264
  8. National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection: William Henry Archer - Records (1853 - 1863)
    Letters and reports from Archer to the Colonial Secretary and others, concerning Victorian records and statistical registration, together with miscellaneous notes and tables 1853-63.
    MS 105
  9. The University of Melbourne Archives: William Henry Archer - Records (1842 - 1916)
    Correspondence (including correspondence of his wife and family) 1842-1916; diaries 1848-51, 1884-91, 1893; scattered diary sheets 1848-98; household accounts 1854-1910; notes for and drafts of articles c1856-83; invitations, catalogues and newspaper cuttings; estate papers 1908-10; publications; photographs; pastel portrait; genealogical material and memorabilia [72 cm].

Resources by William Henry Archer (30)

  1. Facts and figures, or, Notes of progress, statistical and general / edited by William Henry Archer
    Archer, William Henry, 1825-1909
    [ Periodical : 1857-1858 ]
    At 2 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 19.948)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 19.948)

  2. Facts and figures, or, Notes of progress, statistical and general / edited by William Henry Archer
    Archer, William Henry, 1825-1909
    [ Book : 1858-1979 ]
    At 35 libraries
    Facts and figures, or, Notes of progress, statistical and general / edited by William Henry Archer
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 18.564)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 18.564)

  3. Letters of William Archer
    Archer, William Henry, 1825-1909
    [ Unpublished : 1847-1866 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.724)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.724)

  4. Papers of William Archer
    Archer, William Henry, 1825-1909
    [ Unpublished : 1853-1863 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.566)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.566)

  5. The Statistical register of Victoria from the foundation of the colony, with an astronomical calendar for 1855 / edited by William Henry Archer
    Victoria. Registrar General's Office
    [ Book : 1854 ]
    At 24 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.245)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.245)

  6. Facts and figures, or, Notes of progress, statistical and general, for Australasian circulation
    Archer, William Henry, 1825-1909
    [ Periodical : 1857-1858 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.988)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.988)

  7. Catalogue of the Victorian Exhibition, 1861 : with prefatory essays indicating the progress, resources and physical characteristics of the colony / by W.H. Archer ... [et al.]
    Victorian Exhibition Melbourne, Vic.) (1861 :
    [ Book : 1861-1862 ]
    View online
    At 16 libraries
    Catalogue of the Victorian Exhibition, 1861 : with prefatory essays indicating the progress, resources and physical characteristics of the colony / by W.H. Archer ... [et al.]
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.088)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.088)

  8. [Letters and papers]
    Archer, William Henry, 1825-1909
    [ Unpublished : 1900-1999 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.049)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.049)

  9. The progress of Victoria : a statistical essay / by William Henry Archer
    Archer, William Henry, 1825-1909
    [ Book : 1867-1873 ]
    View online
    At 13 libraries
    The progress of Victoria : a statistical essay / by William Henry Archer
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 9.852)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 9.852)

  10. Lecture on Catholic education & civilization, past and present / by William Henry Archer
    Archer, William Henry, 1825-1909
    [ Book : 1856 ]
    At 4 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 9.817)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 9.817)

More...

Resources about William Henry Archer (9)

  1. [Biographical cuttings on William Henry Archer, public servant, containing one or more cuttings from newspapers or journals]
    [ Published : 1900-1990 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 17.984)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 17.984)

  2. Papers of William Archer
    Archer, William Henry, 1825-1909
    [ Unpublished : 1853-1863 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.53)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.53)

  3. Letters of William Archer
    Archer, William Henry, 1825-1909
    [ Unpublished : 1847-1866 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.473)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.473)

  4. [Letters and papers]
    Archer, William Henry, 1825-1909
    [ Unpublished : 1900-1999 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.086)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.086)

  5. The Archer letters / edited and arranged by Anne V. Player
    Tenison-Woods, J. E. (Julian Edmund), 1832-1889
    [ Book : 1983 ]
    At 12 libraries
    The Archer letters / edited and arranged by Anne V. Player
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 10.293)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 10.293)

  6. [William Henry Archer]
    Unknown
    [ Photograph ]
    View online
    At City Boroondara LS
    [William Henry Archer]
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 9.383)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 9.383)

  7. [William Henry Archer] John Botterill
    Botterill, J. (John), 1817-1881
    [ Photograph : 1870-1874 ]
    View online
    At State Library of VIC
    [William Henry Archer] John Botterill
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 9.293)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 9.293)

  8. W. H. Archer, civil servant / by Margot Beever
    Beever, Margot
    [ Thesis : 1971 ]
    At Baillieu Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.206)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.206)

  9. Letter : to W.H. Archer, Ballarat
    Smyth, Patrick, 1824-1865
    [ Unpublished : 1854 ]
    At State Library of VIC
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.098)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.098)

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  1. Archer, William Henry Davies (1835-1928)
    ... The death occurred at 42 High Street, Launceston, yesterday, in his 92nd year, of Mr. William Henry ...
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  2. Gaunt, Guy Reginald Archer, (Sir) (1869-1953)
    ... , sons of William Henry Gaunt and his wife Elizabeth Mary, née Palmer. Mary Eliza was ...
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  3. Gaunt, Cecil Robert (1863-1938)
    ... , sons of William Henry Gaunt and his wife Elizabeth Mary, née Palmer. Mary Eliza was ...
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  1. Detective E G Ashton
    Detective E G Ashton
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    Police cases relating to Detective Ernest Graham Ashton of the Victorian Police.Cases of Note:1903 - Arrest of three women shoplifters. Detective Ashton received a gold medallion in thanks f...

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    Brothers John (William) Sevior 1834 Launceston and Robert Sevior 1836 Launceston. Jockeys, Horse Breeders, Horse Trainers, Farmers; Ploughing Match Judge and Race Course Clerk - John Sevior,...

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    Family and descendents of William Thomasson and his wife Ellen who immigrated to Rockhampton on the "Saldahna"

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  1. [William Henry Archer] John Botteri...
    Botterill, J. (...
    [ Photograph : 1870-1874 ]
    [William Henry Archer] John Botterill
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    [William Henry Archer]
  3. William Henry Davies Archer
    Beattie, J. W. ...
    [ Photograph ]
    William Henry Davies Archer
  1. Website: Bright sparcs
    www.eoas.info
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    View 368 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.233)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.233)

  2. Website: Mura gadi
    www.nla.gov.au
    Matching pages:
    • Mura Gadi - 9/6/2012
    • .... [Manuscript] Archer, William Henry (1825-1909). Papers, correspondence, reports. 1847-66. Result page: First...
    View 25 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.073)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.073)

  3. Website: Australian National Botanic Gardens : Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research
    www.anbg.gov.au
    Matching pages:
    • Archer, William H - biography - 6/1/2012
    • ... from confusion with two other naturalists at the time, William Henry Archer (1825-1909) and William Henry Davies Archer (1836...
    View 6 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.022)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.022)

  1. Archer's Property (Burwood and Auburn Roads, William and Henry Streets), 1888
    [ Map : 1888 ]
    View online
    At State Library of VIC
    Archer's Property (Burwood and Auburn Roads, William and Henry Streets), 1888
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  2. Frontiers and power in the early Tudor state
    Ellis, Steven
    History Today
    [ Map, Photograph, Article : 1995 ]
    View online (conditions apply)
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  3. Richmond-Petersburg campaign: June 1864-March 1865
    Krick, Robert E.L
    The Civil War Battlefield Guide, 2nd ed.
    [ Map : 1998 ]
    View online (conditions apply)
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    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.002)

  1. King John / edited by E. A. J. Honigmann
    Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
    [ Book, Article : 1700-2012 ]
    Languages: English, French, Japanese, [2 others]
    Read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 70 libraries
    King John / edited by E. A. J. Honigmann
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.641)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.641)

  2. King Richard III / edited by Antony Hammond
    Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
    The Modern Language Review
    [ Book, Sound, Audio book, Article : 1597-2012 ]
    Languages: English, Japanese, Undetermined, [4 others]
    Read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
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    At 177 libraries
    King Richard III / edited by Antony Hammond
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  3. Much ado about nothing / William Shakespeare
    Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
    Shakespeare Quarterly
    [ Book, Audio book, Article : 1600-2011 ]
    Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese, [2 others]
    Read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
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    At 150 libraries
    Much ado about nothing / William Shakespeare
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.378)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.378)

  4. Henry Irving, actor and manager, a critical study, by William Archer ..
    Archer, William, 1856-1924
    [ Book : 1883-1970 ]
    View online (access conditions)
    At 5 libraries
    Henry Irving, actor and manager, a critical study, by William Archer ..
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.286)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.286)

  1. RECORDS OF ARCHER, WILLIAM HENRY (1825-1909)
    Archer, William Henry
    [ Unpublished : 1814-1916 ]
    View online
    At Uni Melbourne Arch
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    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.373)

  2. The Nicomachean ethics / Aristotle ; translated with an introd. by David Ross ; rev. by J. O. Urmson
    Aristotle
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    Languages: English, Greek, Ancient (to 1453), Latin, [12 others]
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    At 76 libraries
    The Nicomachean ethics / Aristotle ; translated with an introd. by David Ross ; rev. by J. O. Urmson
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  3. Papers
    Lee-Archer, Albert, 1870-1950
    [ Unpublished : 1940-1949 ]
    At State Library of VIC
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    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.054)

  1. King Richard III / edited by Antony Hammond
    Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
    The Modern Language Review
    [ Book, Sound, Audio book, Article : 1597-2012 ]
    Languages: English, Japanese, Undetermined, [4 others]
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    At 177 libraries
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  2. Much ado about nothing / William Shakespeare
    Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
    Shakespeare Quarterly
    [ Book, Audio book, Article : 1600-2011 ]
    Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese, [2 others]
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    At 150 libraries
    Much ado about nothing / William Shakespeare
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.378)

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  3. Pericles / edited by F.D. Hoeniger
    Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
    [ Book, Audio book : 1609-2012 ]
    Languages: English, Catalan, Italian, Japanese
    Read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
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    At 101 libraries
    Pericles / edited by F.D. Hoeniger
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  4. Ghosts. The warriors at Helgeland. An enemy of the people / Henrik Ibsen
    Ibsen, Henrik, 1828-1906
    [ Book, Audio book : 1881-2010 ]
    Languages: English, Norwegian, German
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    At 45 libraries
    Ghosts. The warriors at Helgeland. An enemy of the people / Henrik Ibsen
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  1. LERDERDERG MINING COMPANY. WILLIAM HENRY ARCHER, Registrar-General's Office, Melbourne, June 30.
    The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Tuesday 10 July 1860 p 6 Article
    ... William Henry Archer, Registrar-General's Office, Melbourne, June 30. A special 'A'Bpeoiol general meeting of shareholders in the above company was hold yesterday, at the offices, Collins-street east, "for the purpose," was the advertisement stated, "of of taking into 'con. sideration tho ... 1550 words
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    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.886)

  2. DELORAINE. POLICE OFFICE. Tuesday, December 20th, 1870. Before William Archer, Esq., and Henry Douglas, Esq., Warden.) CATTLE STEALING.
    The Cornwall Chronicle (Launceston, Tas. : 1835 - 1880) Saturday 31 December 1870 p 3 Article
    ... William Archer, Esq., and Henry Douglas, Esq., Warden.) CATTLE STEALING. (From our charged with stealing and carrying away a certain bull, the property of Mr Porter, of Exton. William George Porter sworn ... brother William was there at the time of brand but not slire upon that point. ' : To the Bench - Wo keep ... 3683 words
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    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.775)

  3. DELORAINE. POLICE OFFICE. Tuesday, December 20th, 1870. Before William Archer, Esq., and Henry Douglas, Esq., Warden.)
    The Cornwall Chronicle (Launceston, Tas. : 1835 - 1880) Monday 26 December 1870 p 2 Article
    ... William Archer, Esq., and Henry Douglas, Esq., Warden.) (From Correspondent.) Charles Powell, was brought up charged with stealing and carrying away a certain full, the property of Mr Porter, of [?] William ... out-station is about 4 or. 6° miles ; wo have more bulbj there the some age; I think my brother William was ... 3610 words
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.775)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.775)

  1. King John / edited by E. A. J. Honigmann
    Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
    [ Book, Article : 1700-2012 ]
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    Read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
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    At 70 libraries
    King John / edited by E. A. J. Honigmann
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    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.672)

  2. The three parts of Henry the Sixth / by William Shakespeare
    Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
    [ Book, Article, Thesis : 1724-2009 ]
    Languages: English, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese
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    The three parts of Henry the Sixth / by William Shakespeare
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  3. Much ado about nothing / [editor, John Crowther]
    Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
    [ Book, Article : 1600-2011 ]
    Languages: English, Spanish, Greek, Modern (1453- )
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    Much ado about nothing / [editor, John Crowther]
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  4. William Henry Archer - Records
    [ Data set ]
    View online
    At ANDS
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    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.179)