David Collins

The life of David Collins - judge, historian and governor - reflects the story of the European settlement of Australia. Born in London in 1756, Collins joined the Marine Corps at fourteen, and in 1775 fought against the Americans at the battle of Bunker Hill. In 1787 he was appointed deputy judge-advocate of the impending expedition to Botany Bay. In a remarkable trio of events, Collins was one of the founders of Sydney in 1788, began the first European settlement in Victoria in 1803, and founde