Henry Ayers

Sir Henry Ayers GCMG (1 May 1821 – 11 June 1897) was the eighth Premier of South Australia, serving a record five times between 1863 and 1873.

Historians note his lasting memorial is in the name of Uluru/Ayers Rock, discovered in 1873 by William Gosse.

Overview

Ayers was born at Portsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England son of William Ayers, of the Portsmouth dockyard, and his wife Elizabeth, née Breakes. Educated at the Beneficial Society's School (Portsea) he entered a law office in 1832. He emigrated, as a carpenter, to South Australia in 1840 with his wife, Anne (née Potts) with free passages. Until 1845 he worked as a law clerk, he was then appointed secretary of the Burra Burra mines. Within a year he had command of over 1000 men. For nearly 50 years he was in control of this mine, initially as secretary and later as managing director. He made his wealth from the Burra Burra Copper Mines, which was known as the "Monster Mine" that secured the wealth of the colony of South Australia.