Bigge, John Thomas (1780-1843), was appointed commissioner to inquire into the affairs of New South Wales, Australia, in 1819. Bigge quarreled with Lachlan Macquarie, the governor of New South Wales, over the status and rights of emancipists (pardoned convicts). In his report, Bigge recommended that emancipists should have rights but not be allowed to hold responsible positions. He also recommended that New South Wales produce only wool, and discourage manufacturing industries.
Bigge landed in Sydney on Sept. 26, 1819. From 1819 to 1821, he toured New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania). He soon became friendly with the exclusives (wealthy free settlers). The British government accepted most of his proposals, and Macquarie resigned soon afterward.
Bigge was born on March 8, 1780, in Northumberland, England. He became a barrister in 1806. Bigge served as the chief justice of Trinidad, in the West Indies, from 1815 to 1818. He died on Dec. 22, 1843.
