Nineteenth Century New Zealand Artists: A Guide & Handbook
WELD, Sir Frederick Aloysius 1823–1891
WELD, Sir Frederick Aloysius 1823–1891
Third son of Humphrey Weld and wife Maria, daughter of Lord Clifford of Chudleigh, both old Catholic families. Educated at Stoneyhurst and Friburg University. November 1843 sailed for New Zealand. At first went sheep farming in the Wairarapa, then in 1847 to Flaxbourne in a remote part of Marlborough in partnership with his cousin Charles Clifford. Discovered the pass between the Kaikoura Ranges. 1851 visited England. Weld became a leading member of the government; in 1864 was asked by Grey to form the Ministry but he was in office less than a year. In 1867 returned to England, was later Governor of Western Australia, then Governor of Tasmania (KCMG 1880) and later Governor of Straits Settlements. Retired 1887. Was said to have been a most open and attractive person: painted watercolours. Represented: AIML, Canterbury Museum, Turnbull.