Robert Fitzroy

Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy (5 July 1805 – 30 April 1865) was an officer of the Royal Navy, a politician, and a scientist known for his role in maritime exploration and meteorology. He served as the second governor of New Zealand from 1843 to 1845.

FitzRoy was born at Ampton Hall in Ampton, Suffolk, England. He came from a family with aristocratic and public service backgrounds; his father was General Lord Charles FitzRoy, and he was a descendant of King Charles II of England. His mother was Lady Frances Stewart, daughter of the first Marquess of Londonderry and half-sister of Viscount Castlereagh, a British Foreign Secretary. FitzRoy spent part of his childhood at Wakefield Lodge in Northamptonshire.

He entered the Royal Naval College, Portsmouth, in February 1818 at age 12, and joined the Royal Navy in 1819. At 14, he embarked aboard the frigate HMS Owen Glendower for a voyage to South America. During this early command experience, he was promoted to midshipman and served on several ships, including HMS Hind and HMS Thetis. He distinguished himself academically, passing his lieutenant’s examination with full marks in September 1824, making him the first to do so.

In 1828, FitzRoy was appointed flag lieutenant to Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Waller Otway aboard HMS Ganges. During this period, he served on HMS Beagle, which was engaged in hydrographic surveying under Captain Phillip Parker King. Following the suicide of Captain Pringle Stokes, who was commanding Beagle, FitzRoy was appointed as a temporary captain of the vessel in December 1828. He commanded Beagle during a survey expedition that extended to Tierra del Fuego and the Southern Cone. During this survey, he captured local Fuegian natives and brought them to England, where they were taught English and Christianity, and presented at court to King William IV and Queen Adelaide. Some members of the group included a girl called Fuegia Basket, and two boys named Jemmy Button and Boat Memory; the latter died after a smallpox vaccination.

FitzRoy’s reputation as a surveyor and hydrographer was established during this voyage, which concluded in October 1830. He then attempted to organize a missionary project for the Fuegians and sought further expeditions. With the help of hydrographer Francis Beaufort and the Duke of Grafton, FitzRoy was reappointed commander of HMS Beagle in June 1831.

FitzRoy invited Charles Darwin to join the Beagle’s second voyage as a companion and naturalist. Before departure, FitzRoy provided Darwin with scientific reading material, including Charles Lyell’s "Principles of Geology." During the voyage, which lasted until 1836, FitzRoy and Darwin experienced tensions, especially concerning personal temper and differences over issues such as slavery and religion. FitzRoy’s impatience and temper earned him the nickname "Hot Coffee." Despite disagreements, the voyage contributed significant scientific knowledge, including detailed observations of geology, biology, and geography.

After returning to England, FitzRoy married Mary Henrietta O'Brien in 1836. He was awarded the Royal Premium by the Royal Geographical Society in 1837. In the same year, he published diaries and scientific observations concerning his explorations.

FitzRoy later became involved in meteorological work, establishing systems for weather forecasting, and is credited with creating some of the earliest systems for providing weather information to sailors. In 1854, he founded what would become the Meteorological Office, known as the Met Office. His predictions, which he termed "forecasts," were among the earliest attempts at systematic weather prediction.

As governor of New Zealand from 1843 to 1845, FitzRoy sought to protect the Māori from illegal land sales by settlers. His tenure was marked by efforts to regulate land transactions and uphold indigenous rights.

Robert FitzRoy died on 30 April 1865.