King, Philip Gidley (1758-1808), was governor of New South Wales, Australia, from 1800 to 1806. He encouraged exploration, organized the settlement of Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania), kept food at a reasonable price, and tried to stabilize money in the colony. He also transferred the inhabitants of the Norfolk Island settlement to Van Diemen’s Land. But he was unable to control the officers of the New South Wales Corps.
King was born in Launceston, Devon, England, on April 23, 1758. In 1787, he sailed as lieutenant on H.M.S. Sirius in the First Fleet. From 1788 to 1796, he commanded the Norfolk Island settlement. He died in England on Sept. 3, 1808.
