Captain Robert FitzRoy RN
2nd Governor of New Zealand
In office 26 December 1843 – 18 November 1845
Preceded by	Captain William Hobson
Succeeded by	Sir George Grey
Born	5 July 1805(1805-07-05) Ampton, Suffolk, England
Died	30 April 1865 (aged 59) London, England
Nationality	English

Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy (5 July 1805 – 30 April 1865) achieved lasting fame as the captain of HMS Beagle during Charles Darwin's famous voyage, and as a pioneering meteorologist who made accurate weather forecasting a reality. He was an able surveyor and hydrographer and served as Governor of New Zealand from 1843 to 1845. Template:PDold File links The following pages link to this file: Robert FitzRoy ... The Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the Sovereign in right of New Zealand (currently, Queen Elizabeth II). ... is the 360th day of the year (361st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1843 (MDCCCXLIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 322nd day of the year (323rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1845 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... William Hobson (September 26, 1792 - September 10, 1842), was the first Governor of New Zealand and co-author of the Treaty of Waitangi. ... George Edward Grey Statue of Sir George Grey in Albert Park, Auckland For other men with a similar name, see George Grey or George Gray Sir George Edward Grey KCB (April 14, 1812–September 19, 1898) was a soldier, explorer, Governor of South Australia, twice Governor of New Zealand, Governor... is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1805 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Ampton is a village and civil parish in the St Edmundsbury district of Suffolk, England, about five miles north of Bury St Edmunds. ... Suffolk (pronounced ) is a large historic and modern non-metropolitan county in East Anglia, England. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Vice Admiral is a naval rank of three star level, equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority. ... is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1805 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ... HMS Beagle was a Cherokee class 10-gun brig of the Royal Navy, named after the beagle, a breed of dog. ... For other people of the same surname, and places and things named after Charles Darwin, see Darwin. ... // Meteorology (from Greek: μετέωρον, meteoron, high in the sky; and λόγος, logos, knowledge) is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere that focuses on weather processes and forecasting. ... BBCs Alex Deakin presenting a weather report. ... Hydrography focuses on the measurement of physical characteristics of waters and marginal land. ... The Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the Sovereign in right of New Zealand (currently, Queen Elizabeth II). ...

Early life

Robert FitzRoy was born at Ampton Hall, Ampton, Suffolk, England into the upper echelons of the British aristocracy and a tradition of public service. Through his father, Lord Charles FitzRoy (1764 - 1829), Robert was a fourth great-grandson of Charles II of England and his grandfather was Augustus Henry Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton. His mother was the daughter of the first Marquis of Londonderry and the half-sister of Viscount Castlereagh, who became Home Secretary. From the age of four Robert FitzRoy lived at Wakefield Lodge in Northamptonshire, the Palladian mansion of the FitzRoy family. Ampton is a village and civil parish in the St Edmundsbury district of Suffolk, England, about five miles north of Bury St Edmunds. ... Suffolk (pronounced ) is a large historic and modern non-metropolitan county in East Anglia, England. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Charles II (29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685) was the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. ... Augustus Henry FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton (October 1, 1735 - March 14, 1811), was a British politician of the Georgian era. ... The title of Marquess of Londonderry (pronounced Lundundry) is a title in the Peerage of Ireland created in 1816 for Robert Stewart, 1st Earl of Londonderry, father of Lord Castlereagh, the Foreign Secretary at the time. ... Robert Stewart, 2nd Marquess of Londonderry, (June 18, 1769 - August 12, 1822), known until 1821 by his courtesy title of Viscount Castlereagh, was an Anglo-Irish politician born in Dublin who represented the United Kingdom at the Congress of Vienna. ... Northamptonshire (abbreviated Northants or Nhants) is a landlocked county in central England with a population of 629,676 (2001 census). ... A villa with a superimposed portico, from Book IV of Palladios I Quattro Libri dellArchitettura, in a modestly priced English translation published in London, 1736. ...

Career

In February 1818, 12 years old, he entered the Royal Naval College, Portsmouth, and in the following year he entered the Royal Navy. He completed his course with distinction and was promoted lieutenant on 7 September 1824, having passed the examination with 'full numbers' (100%), a result not achieved previously. After serving on HMS Thetis, in 1828 he was appointed flag lieutenant to Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Waller Otway, commander-in-chief of the South American station, aboard HMS Ganges. Year 1818 (MDCCCXVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Royal Naval Academy was a facility for training officers for the Royal Navy. ... This article is about the navy of the United Kingdom. ... is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1824 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Twelve ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Thetis, named after the sea-nymph in Greek mythology: The first Thetis was a 22-gun storeship launched in 1717. ... Year 1828 (MDCCCXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Admiral Sir Robert Waller Otway, 1st Bt (26 April 1770-12 May 1846) was a British naval officer. ... HMS Ganges was an 84-gun 2nd rate of the Royal Navy launched on November 10, 1821 at Bombay Dockyard. ...

At that time HMS Beagle under Captain Pringle Stokes was carrying out a hydrographic survey of Tierra del Fuego, under the overall command of captain Philip Parker King in HMS Adventure. Pringle Stokes became depressed and shot himself, and the ship under Lieutenant Skyring sailed to Rio de Janeiro, where Otway made FitzRoy (temporary) Captain of the Beagle on 15 December 1828. By the ship's return on 14 October 1830 FitzRoy had established his reputation as a surveyor and commander. HMS Beagle was a Cherokee class 10-gun brig of the Royal Navy, named after the beagle, a breed of dog. ... Tierra del Fuego Cerro Sombrero Village, Chile. ... Admiral Phillip Parker King, R.N. F.R.S. (13 December 1793-1856) was an early explorer of the Australian coast. ... This article is about the Brazilian city. ... is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1828 (MDCCCXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 287th day of the year (288th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix commemorates the July Revolution 1830 (MDCCCXXX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

During the survey some of his men were camping onshore when a group of Fuegian natives made off with their boat. His ship gave chase and after a scuffle the culprit's families were brought on board as hostages. Eventually FitzRoy held a boy, a girl and two men. As it was not possible to put them ashore conveniently he decided to 'civilise' the 'savages', teaching them "English..the plainer truths of Christianity..and the use of common tools" before returning them as missionaries. They were given names, the girl he named Fuegia Basket (so named because the replacement for the stolen boat was an improvised coracle that resembled a basket), the boy being called Jemmy Button (he was purchased by FitzRoy with buttons) and the one man who did not escape named York Minster (named after the large rock near which he was captured).There was also a boy called Boat Memory. FitzRoy brought them back to England where Boat Memory died following a smallpox vaccination. The others were minded by the trainee missionary Richard Matthews and became 'civilised' enough to be presented at court in the summer of 1831. HMS Beagle (centre), watercolour by Owen Stanley (1841) Orundellico, known as Jemmy Button, (c. ... Leopold I 1831 (MDCCCXXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

HMS Beagle's second voyage

Main article: Second voyage of HMS Beagle

In early May 1831 FitzRoy stood as Tory candidate for Ipswich in the General Election, but was defeated. His hopes of obtaining a new posting and organising a missionary project appeared to be failing, and he was organising the charter of a ship at his own expense to return the Fuegians with Matthews when his friend Francis Beaufort, Hydrographer to the British Admiralty, and his "kind uncle", the Duke of Grafton interceded at the Admiralty and on 25 June 1831 he was re-appointed commander of the Beagle. He spared no expense in fitting out the ship. On its second voyage, much of it chronicled by Charles Darwin in his book, The Voyage of the Beagle, the HMS Beagle crossed the Atlantic towards Tierra Del Fuego, and carried out surveying especially of the West coast of South America, as well as a number of Pacific islands. ... Leopold I 1831 (MDCCCXXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... For other uses, see Tory (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Ipswich (disambiguation). ... Rear-Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort, FRS, FRGS (7 May 1774 – 17 December 1857) was an Irish hydrographer and officer in the British Royal Navy. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Hydrographic office. ... For the international law of the sea, see Admiralty law. ... George Henry FitzRoy, 4th Duke of Grafton (January 14, 1760–September 28, 1844) was the son of Augustus Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton. ... is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Leopold I 1831 (MDCCCXXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

Very conscious of the stressful loneliness of command and of the suicide both of Captain Stokes and of his uncle Viscount Castlereagh, who had cut his own throat in 1822 while in government office, he approached Beaufort in August 1831 and asked him to find a suitable gentleman friend who would share his scientific tastes, making good use of the opportunities the expedition presented to a naturalist as well as dining with him as an equal and providing a semblance of normal companionship.^[1] Beaufort made enquiries and while those first approached turned the opportunity down, eventually FitzRoy approved Charles Darwin for the position. FitzRoy had read the first volume of Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology which explained features as the outcome of a gradual process taking place over extremely long periods of time, and before they left England FitzRoy gave Darwin a copy of the book as well as taking a request from Lyell to record observations on geological features such as erratic boulders.^[2] 1822 (MDCCCXXII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... For other people of the same surname, and places and things named after Charles Darwin, see Darwin. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

The two got on well together, but FitzRoy's outbursts of violent temper which had gained him the nickname "Hot Coffee"^[3] led to occasional quarrels — "some bordering on insanity," Darwin later recalled — during the survey voyage which stretched over five years (though Darwin spent more than three years of this time exploring on land). On a memorable occasion in March 1831 at Bahia, Brazil, Darwin was horrified at tales of the treatment of slaves, but FitzRoy, while not endorsing mistreatment, assumed that well treated slaves would be happier than having to live in poverty, and recounted how an estancia owner had asked his slaves if they wished to be free, which they had answered in the negative. Darwin incautiously asked FitzRoy if he thought the answers given by slaves in the presence of their master were worth anything, at which the captain completely lost his temper and stormed out, saying that as Darwin doubted his word they could not live together any longer, effectively banishing Darwin from his table. FitzRoy's temper cooled and he sent a handsome apology before nightfall with the request that Darwin "continue to live with him", so they avoided that subject from then on. However, none of the quarrels were over religious or doctrinal issues – such disagreements came after the voyage.^[1] Flag of Bahia See other Brazilian States Capital Salvador Largest City Salvador Area 564 273 km² Population   - Total   - Density 13 070 250 23. ...

At the island of "Buttons Land" in Tierra del Fuego they set up a mission post, but when they returned nine days later the possessions had been looted. Matthews gave up, rejoining the ship and leaving the three civilised Fuegians to continue the missionary work. Tierra del Fuego Cerro Sombrero Village, Chile. ...

While in the Falkland Islands, FitzRoy bought a schooner out of his own funds to assist with the surveying tasks he had been asked to complete, and had it refitted and renamed Adventure, hoping that the cost would be reimbursed by the Admiralty. They returned to the mission post but found only Jemmy Button who had returned to native ways and refused the offer to go with them back to England. Two-masted fishing schooner A schooner (IPA: ) is a type of sailing vessel characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts. ... Flag of the Lord High Admiral The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the United Kingdom responsible for the command of the Royal Navy. ... HMS Beagle (centre), watercolour by Owen Stanley (1841) Orundellico, known as Jemmy Button, (c. ...

At Valparaiso in 1834, while Darwin was away from the ship exploring the Andes, the Admiralty reprimanded FitzRoy for this unauthorised action in buying the Adventure. He took it badly, selling the schooner and announcing they would go back to recheck his survey, then resigning his command with doubts about his own sanity. The ship's officers persuaded him to withdraw his resignation and continue as planned once Darwin returned to the ship.^[3] FitzRoy continued his voyage, sailing on to the Galapagos, Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, then detouring to Bahia in Brazil so that he could carry out an additional check to ensure the accuracy of his longitude measurements before returning to England. Valparaiso is the name of at least three cities and a village: Valparaíso, Chile Valparaiso, Florida Valparaiso, Indiana Valparaiso, Nebraska This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... This article is about the mountain system in South America. ... Flag of Bahia See other Brazilian States Capital Salvador Largest City Salvador Area 564 273 km² Population   - Total   - Density 13 070 250 23. ...

Return from the voyage

Soon after the Beagle's return on 2 October 1836, FitzRoy married a young woman with whom he had long been engaged. Darwin was amazed, as not once during the entire five years of the trip had FitzRoy spoken about being engaged. is the 275th day of the year (276th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1836 (MDCCCXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

FitzRoy was awarded a gold medal by the Royal Geographical Society in 1837. Extracts from his diary read to the society on 8 May 1837 included the observation (page 115) "Is it not extraordinary, that sea-worn, rolled, shingle-stones, and alluvial accumulations, compose the greater portion of these plains? How vast, and of what immense duration, must have been the actions of these waters which smoothed the shingle-stones now buried in the deserts of Patagonia!^[4] The Royal Geographical Society is a British learned society founded in 1830 with the name Geographical Society of London for the advancement of geographical science, under the patronage of King William IV. It absorbed the Association for Promoting the Discovery of the Interior Parts of Africa (founded by Sir Joseph... Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom (1837 - 1901) 1837 (MDCCCXXXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom (1837 - 1901) 1837 (MDCCCXXXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

FitzRoy then wrote his account of the voyage, including editing the notes of the previous captain of the Beagle, which was completed and published in May 1839 as the Narrative of the surveying voyages of H.M.S. Adventure and Beagle in four volumes including Darwin's Journal and Remarks, 1832—1836 as the third volume. FitzRoy's account includes a section of Remarks with reference to the Deluge in which he admits that having read works "by geologists who contradict, by implication, if not in plain terms, the authenticity of the Scriptures" and "while led away by sceptical ideas" he had remarked to a friend that the vast plain of sedimentary material they were crossing "could never have been effected by a forty days' flood" indicating that in his "turn of mind and ignorance of scripture" he was willing to disbelieve the Biblical account. Concerned that such ideas might "reach the eyes of young sailors" he earnestly explains in great detail his renewed commitment to a literal reading of the Bible, with arguments that rock layers high in the mountains containing sea shells are actually proof of Noah's Flood and that the six days of creation could not have extended over aeons because the grass, herbs and trees would have died out during the long nights.^[5] 1839 (MDCCCXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

FitzRoy was clearly dissociating himself from the new ideas of Charles Lyell which he had accepted during the voyage, and from Darwin's account which embraced these ideas, instead asserting a new commitment under the influence of his very religious wife to the doctrine of the established Church of England.^[3] This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Church of England logo since 1998 The Church of England is the officially established Christian church[1] in England, and acts as the mother and senior branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion, as well as a founding member of the Porvoo Communion. ...

FitzRoy was elected the Tory Member of Parliament for Durham in 1841, and appointed Acting Conservator of the River Mersey in 1842. A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a parliament. ... Durham (IPA: locally, in RP) is a small city and main settlement of the City of Durham district of County Durham in North East England. ... 1841 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Acting Conservator of the River Mersey is a unique position responsible for navigation on and the environment of the River Mersey. ... 1842 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

Governor of New Zealand

The first Governor of New Zealand, William Hobson, died in late 1842 and the Church Missionary Society, which had a strong New Zealand presence, suggested FitzRoy as his successor. He took up his new task in December 1843. William Hobson (September 26, 1792 - September 10, 1842), was the first Governor of New Zealand and co-author of the Treaty of Waitangi. ... The Church Mission Society (formerly the Church Missionary Society) is a voluntary society working with the Anglican Church and other Protestant Christians around the world. ... Year 1843 (MDCCCXLIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

It was probably an impossible job. His instructions were to maintain order, protect the Māori and yet to satisfy the land hunger of the settlers pouring into the country. He was given very few military resources and very little revenue, mainly from customs duties. This article is about the Māori people of New Zealand. ...

One of his first tasks was to enquire into the circumstances surrounding the Wairau Massacre. He found the actions of the Colonists to have been illegal and wisely declined to take any action against Te Rauparaha, wisely because he did not have the troops to meet him on anything like equal terms. However, this left the New Zealand Company and the settlers feeling betrayed and angry. One outcome was to appoint a Government Superintendent for the area and establish a ruling presence. He also insisted that the piratical New Zealand Company pay the Māori a realistic price for the land they claimed to have purchased. Naturally these moves made him very unpopular. In New Zealand history, the Wairau Affray on June 17, 1843, also known as the Wairau Massacre in most older texts, was the first serious clash of arms between the Maori natives and the British settlers after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. ... Te Rauparaha (1760s?-1849) was a Maori Chief and War Leader of the Ngati Toa tribe who took a leading part in the Musket Wars. ... The New Zealand Company formed in 1839 to promote the colonisation of New Zealand. ...

Land sales were a continuing vexatious issue. The settlers were eager to buy land and some Māori were willing to sell, but under provisions of the Treaty of Waitangi, this could only happen with the Government as an intermediary and this proved to be very slow. FitzRoy changed the rules to allow the direct purchase of Māori land subject to a duty of ten shillings per acre ($2.50 per hectare). One of the few extant copies of the Treaty of Waitangi The Treaty of Waitangi (Māori: Tiriti o Waitangi) is a treaty signed on February 6, 1840 by representatives of the British Crown, and Māori chiefs from the North Island of New Zealand. ...

However, land sales proved slower than expected. To meet the financial shortfall FitzRoy raised the customs duties then he abolished them and instituted a property and income tax. However, nothing really worked and quite soon the Colony was faced with bankruptcy and FitzRoy was forced to begin issuing promissory notes, paper money without backing. Customs is an authority or agency in a country responsible for collecting customs duties and for controlling the flow of animals and goods (including personal effects and hazardous items) in and out of a country. ... Tax rates around the world Tax revenue as % of GDP Economic policy Monetary policy Central bank   Money supply Fiscal policy Spending   Deficit   Debt Trade policy Tariff   Trade agreement Finance Financial market Financial market participants Corporate   Personal Public   Banking   Regulation        An income tax is a tax levied on the financial income... A promissory note is a contract detailing the terms of a promise by one party (the maker) to pay a sum of money to the other (the payee). ...

Meanwhile the Māori in the far North, around the Bay of Islands, who had been one of the driving forces in the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, were feeling increasingly sidelined and resentful of the changes that had taken place in New Zealand. To signal their resentment Hone Heke cut down the flagpole at Kororareka. Rather than address the problems FitzRoy had the flagpole re-erected. Hone Heke cut it down again, four times altogether by which time the First New Zealand War, or Flagstaff War, was well underway. Russell, Bay of Islands. ... Hone Heke with his wife Hariata, circa 1845 Hone Wiremu Heke Pokai (1810? - August 6, 1850) was a Māori chief and war leader in New Zealand. ... Russell, formerly known as Kororareka, was the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand. ... The First Maori War, also known as the Flagstaff War was fought between 11 March 1845 and 11 January 1846, in and around the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. ...

It soon became apparent that FitzRoy did not have the resources to bring about a quick end to the war. Meanwhile the spokesmen for the New Zealand Company were active back in Great Britain and FitzRoy's Governorship was presented to the House of Commons in a very poor light. As a result of this he was dismissed and replaced by George Grey then Governor of South Australia. Grey was also given the backing and support that FitzRoy had needed but was denied. Type Lower House Speaker of the House of Commons Leader of the House of Commons Michael Martin, (Non-affiliated) since October 23, 2000 Harriet Harman, QC, (Labour) since June 28, 2007 Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Theresa May, PC, (Conservative) since December 6, 2005 Members 646 Political groups... George Edward Grey Statue of Sir George Grey in Albert Park, Auckland For other men with a similar name, see George Grey or George Gray Sir George Edward Grey KCB (April 14, 1812–September 19, 1898) was a soldier, explorer, Governor of South Australia, twice Governor of New Zealand, Governor... See Governors of the Australian states for a description and history of the office of Governor. ...

Meteorology

However FitzRoy was not disgraced. He returned to England and in September 1848 was made superintendent of the Royal Naval Dockyards at Woolwich and then in March 1849 was given his final sea command, the screw frigate HMS Arrogant. In 1851 he retired from active service, partly due to ill health, and in that year was elected to the Royal Society with the support of 13 fellows including Charles Darwin. For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Year 1848 (MDCCCXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... , Woolwich town hall dates from when this was a borough in its own right. ... Year 1849 (MDCCCXLIX) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... 1851 (MDCCCLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... For other uses, see Royal Society (disambiguation). ...

As the protégé of Francis Beaufort, he was in 1854 appointed, on the recommendation of the President of the Royal Society, as chief of a new department to deal with the collection of weather data at sea, with the title of Meteorological Statist to the Board of Trade and a staff of three. This was the forerunner of the modern Meteorological Office. He arranged for captains of ships to provide information, with tested instruments being loaned for this purpose, and for computation of the data collected. FitzRoy had previously developed a storm glass while on the Beagle. Now he was responsible for the design and distribution of a type of barometer which on his recommendation was fixed at every port to be consulted by crews before setting to sea: stone housings for such barometers are still visible at many fishing harbours. The invention of several different types of barometers was attributed to him, and these became popular and continued in production into the 20th century, characteristically engraved with Admiral FitzRoy's special remarks on interpretation, such as "When rising: In winter the rise of the barometer presages frost". Rear-Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort, FRS, FRGS (7 May 1774 – 17 December 1857) was an Irish hydrographer and officer in the British Royal Navy. ... 1854 (MDCCCLIV) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The new building on the edge of Exeter The Met Office (originally an abbreviation for Meteorological Office, but now the official name in itself), which has its headquarters at Exeter in Devon, is the United Kingdoms national weather service. ... A storm glass is a type of barometer, composed of a sealed glass container, filled with liquid, that allows the user to forecast the weather by nothing the apperance of the liquid in the glass. ... A barometer is an instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999...

A terrible storm in 1859 that caused the loss of the Royal Charter inspired FitzRoy to develop charts to allow predictions to be made, which he called "forecasting the weather", thus coining the term weather forecast. Fifteen land stations were established to use the new telegraph to transmit to him daily reports of weather at set times. The first daily weather forecasts were published in The Times in 1860, and in the following year a system was introduced of hoisting storm warning cones at the principal ports when a gale was expected. The "Weather Book" which he published in 1863 was far in advance of the scientific opinion of the time. Year 1859 (MDCCCLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Royal Charter was a steam clipper which was wrecked on the east coast of Anglesey on 26 October 1859. ... Telegraphy (from the Greek words tele = far away and grapho = write) is the long distance transmission of written messages without physical transport of letters, originally over wire. ... The Times is a national newspaper published daily in the United Kingdom (and the Kingdom of Great Britain before the United Kingdom existed) since 1788 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register. ... 1860 is the leap year starting on Sunday. ... Year 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

The storm also caused the Crown to distribute storm glasses, then known as "FitzRoy's storm barometers," to many small fishing communities around the British Isles.^[1] A storm glass is a type of barometer, composed of a sealed glass container, filled with liquid, that allows the user to forecast the weather by nothing the apperance of the liquid in the glass. ...

Unfortunately, many fishing fleet owners objected to gale warnings, requiring that fleets not leave the ports and under this pressure, FitzRoy's system was abandoned for a short time after his death. The fishing fleet owners reckoned without the pressure of the normal fishermen, for whom FitzRoy had been a hero, responsible for saving many lives and the system was reinstated shortly thereafter.

The British Isles weather forecasting sea area Finisterre was renamed FitzRoy in 2002. The Shipping Forecast is a four-times-daily BBC radio broadcast of weather reports and forecasts for the seas around the coasts of Britain and Ireland. ... Finisterre is an album by the British pop band Saint Etienne. ...

The Origin of Species

When The Origin of Species was published FitzRoy apparently felt betrayed, and guilty for his part in the theory's development. He was in Oxford on 30 June 1860 to present a paper on storms and attended the meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science at which Samuel Wilberforce attacked Darwin's theory. During the debate FitzRoy, seen as "a grey haired Roman nosed elderly gentleman", stood in the centre of the audience and "lifting an immense Bible first with both and afterwards with one hand over his head, solemnly implored the audience to believe God rather than man". As he admitted that The Origin of Species had given him "acutest pain", the crowd shouted him down. Charles Darwins Origin of Species (publ. ... This article is about the city of Oxford in England. ... is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1860 is the leap year starting on Sunday. ... The British Association or the British Association for the Advancement of Science or the BA is a learned society with the object of promoting science, directing general attention to scientific matters, and facilitating intercourse between scientific workers. ... A photo of Samuel Wilberforce by Lewis Carroll Samuel Wilberforce (September 7, 1805 - July 19, 1873), English bishop, third son of William Wilberforce, was born at Clapham Common, London. ...

Suicide

FitzRoy retired in 1863, having been promoted by reason of seniority to vice-admiral. He suffered from depression and in 1865 died as a result of suicide, using a razor in an echo of his uncle's death. His wife writes that he got out of bed one morning and went to his washroom. That was when he committed suicide. Year 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... In everyday language depression refers to any downturn in mood, which may be relatively transitory and perhaps due to something trivial. ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ... For other uses, see Suicide (disambiguation). ... Collection of Modern Safety Razors - Gillette Fusion Power, Gillette M3Power, Mach3 Turbo Champion, Schick Quattro Chrome, Schick Quattro Power, Gillette Mach3, Gillette Sensor, Schick Xtreme3, Schick Xtreme SubZero, and Schick Xtreme3 Disposables A razor is an edge tool primarily used in shaving. ...

He is buried in All Saints with Saint Margaret Churchyard, Upper Norwood, London.^[6] Upper Norwood is an elevated area in south London, England within the postcode SE19. ...

Legacy

FitzRoy died having expended his entire fortune (£6,000, the equivalent of £400,000 today) on public expenditure. When this came to light, in order to prevent his wife and daughter Laura living in destitution, his friend and colleague Bartholemew Sullivan began an Admiral FitzRoy Testimonial Fund which succeeded in getting the government to pay back £3,000 of this sum (Darwin contributed a further £100). Queen Victoria gave the special favour of allowing his widow and daughter the use of apartments at Hampton Court Palace, until her death. For other people of the same surname, and places and things named after Charles Darwin, see Darwin. ... Victoria Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria) (24 May 1819–22 January 1901) was a Queen of the United Kingdom, reigning from 20 June 1837 until her death. ... Hampton Court redirects here. ...

Mount Fitz Roy (Argentina-Chile, at the extreme south of the continent) was named after him by the Argentine scientist and explorer Francisco Moreno. It is 3,440 m high and an important tourist attraction. The aboriginals call it Chaltén. Cerro Chaltén, also known as Cerro Fitz Roy, is a mountain located in the Los Glaciares National Park of Patagonia. ... Bust of Francisco Moreno, in front of the Los Glaciares National Park offices in El Calafate. ... Chaltén has several meanings: Cerro Chaltén - a mount in Patagonia, Argentina El Chaltén - a little village near Cerro Chaltén This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

Fitzroy River, in northern Western Australia, was named after him by Lieutenant John Lort Stokes who, at the time, commanded HMS Beagle (previously commanded by FitzRoy). One channel of the Fitzroy River, looking north from Willare Bridge, dry season 2006 The Fitzroy River was discovered in 1837 by George Grey in the H.M.S. Beagle. ... Admiral John Lort Stokes (1812 - June 11, 1885) was an officer in the Royal Navy who travelled on the HMS Beagle for close to 18 years. ...

The impressive South American conifer Fitzroya cupressoides is named after him. South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... Orders & Families Cordaitales † Pinales   Pinaceae - Pine family   Araucariaceae - Araucaria family   Podocarpaceae - Yellow-wood family   Sciadopityaceae - Umbrella-pine family   Cupressaceae - Cypress family   Cephalotaxaceae - Plum-yew family   Taxaceae - Yew family Vojnovskyales † Voltziales † The conifers, division Pinophyta, are one of 13 or 14 division level taxa within the Kingdom Plantae. ... Binomial name Fitzroya cupressoides (Molina) I.M.Johnst. ...

Fitzroy, Falkland Islands is also named after him. RFA Sir Tristram at Fitzroy, June 1982 Fitzroy is a settlement in Lafonia on East Falkland. ...

On 4 February 2002, when the shipping forecast sea area 'Finisterre' was renamed to avoid confusion with the Spanish sea area of the same name, the new name chosen by the UK's Meteorological Office was 'Fitzroy', in honour of their founder. is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... The Shipping Forecast is a four-times-daily BBC radio broadcast of weather reports and forecasts for the seas around the coasts of Britain and Ireland. ... Finisterre is an album by the British pop band Saint Etienne. ...

In 2005, a novel entitled This Thing of Darkness by Harry Thompson was published. The basis for the novel's plot was the lives of FitzRoy, Darwin and others connected with the Beagle expeditions, following them between the years of 1828 and 1865. It was a nominee on the long list for the 2005 Man Booker Prize^[7] (although Thompson died in November 2005). Harry Thompson (1960-2005) was a British comedy writer and producer. ... A short list is a list of candidates for a job, prize, award, political position, etc. ... The Man Booker Prize for Fiction, also known in short as the Booker Prize, is a literary prize awarded each year for the best original full-length novel, written in the English language, by a citizen of either the Commonwealth of Nations or the Republic of Ireland. ...

References

• Narrative of the surveying voyages of His Majesty's Ships Adventure and Beagle between the years 1826 and 1836, describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagle's circumnavigation of the globe.
  • King, P. P. & FitzRoy, edited by Robert (1838), Proceedings of the first expedition, 1826-30, under the command of Captain P. Parker King, R.N., F.R.S., vol. I, London: Henry Colburn, <http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?itemID=F10.1&viewtype=text&pageseq=1>
  • FitzRoy, Robert (1839), Proceedings of the second expedition, 1831-36, under the command of Captain Robert Fitz-Roy, R.N., vol. II, London: Henry Colburn, <http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?itemID=F10.2&viewtype=text&pageseq=1>
  • FitzRoy, Robert (1839), Appendix to Volume II, London: Henry Colburn, <http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?itemID=F10.2a&viewtype=text&pageseq=1>
• Mellersh, H. E. L. (1968). FitzRoy of the Beagle. Hart-Davis. ISBN 0-246-97452-4. 
• Moon, Paul (2000). FitzRoy: Governor in Crisis 1843-1845. David Ling Publishing. ISBN 0-908990-70-7. 
• Nichols, Peter (2003). Evolution's Captain: The Dark Fate of the Man Who Sailed Charles Darwin Around the World. HarperCollins. ISBN 0-06-008877-X. 
• Gribbin, John and Gribbin, Mary (2003). FitzRoy. Review. ISBN 0-7553-1182-5. 
• Thompson, Harry (2005). This Thing of Darkness. Headline Review. ISBN 0-7553-0281-8. 

Patagonia, as most commonly defined (in orange). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 301st day of the year (302nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Robert Fitzroy
• FitzRoy, bibliographic notes
• Science Museum | Heavy Weather | Admiral FitzRoy and the FitzRoy barometer
• BBC - h2g2 - Robert FitzRoy
• Dictionary of New Zealand Biography