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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Dr. John Logan Campbell

Dr. John Logan Campbell, M.R.C.S., one of the first Stafford Ministry, being a member of the Executive Council without portfolio from the 2nd of June to the 24th of November, 1856, was born in 1817, and is the only son of John Campbell, M.D., of Edinburgh, and a grandson of Sir John Campbell, Bart., of Abernchill and Kilbryde. Educated at Edinburgh University, where he took his degree, he entered the service of the East India Company, but resigned his position and came to Sydney in 1839. A year later he came to New Zealand, and purchased from the Maoris Motu Korea, an island in the Hauraki Gulf, now known as Brown's Island, where he settled. After Auckland had been selected as the capital of the Colony, Dr. Campbell removed thither and founded the firm of Brown, Campbell and Co. This was in the same year, 1840. He took a trip to England in 1848, and returned about two years after. In 1855 Dr. Campbell was elected Superintendent of the Provincial Council of Auckland, which office he held for one year. About this time he was returned to the House of Representatives for Auckland, and it was during the year 1856 that he took office for a short time in the Stafford Government. Resigning his position in both General and Provincial Governments, he went to England, and did not return till 1859. He was soon after elected for Parnell, which he represented in the House of Representatives till 1861, when he left the Colony for an extended visit to England. Ten years later Dr. Campbell page 68 settled permanently in New Zealand, but declined to re-enter public life. He has, however taken a keen interest in local bodies, and has been closely connected with colonial institutions. As a member and chairman of the Board of Education in Auckland he did good service. A lover of art, he founded and maintained the Free School of Art in Auckland. He was one of the founders of the Bank of New Zealand, and for a long time one of its directors. Dr. Campbell has written one book named “Poenamo,” descriptive of early life in Auckland. He is now the sole partner in the large mercantile firm which he founded in 1840. To the present day he has not re-entered political life.