Sorell, William (1775-1848), a British Army officer, became lieutenant governor of Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania, Australia) in 1817. Under his governorship, the colony began to prosper. He encouraged free settlers and did much to eliminate the robbers known as bushrangers in the island (see Bushrangers ). In 1820, he founded the wool industry in the colony by importing Merino sheep from New South Wales and other varieties from the United Kingdom. In 1822, he established a prison settlement at Macquarie Harbour. Sorell was born in England. He died in London on June 4, 1848.
