Davey, Thomas (1760?-1823), was lieutenant governor of Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) from 1813 to 1817. He was a controversial administrator and was recalled after settlers complained about him. But he did much to develop the colony by encouraging farming, improving the port of Hobart, and stimulating public works and buildings. In 1815, he angered Governor Lachlan Macquarie by illegally declaring martial law in the colony to end bushranging. Macquarie gave him a large grant of land as compensation for his recall. Davey was born in Devon, England. He died in England on May 2, 1823.
