Sir Logan Campbell

1 Nov

Logan Campbell, the father of Auckland, earned that title in 1840 when he and business partner William Brown took up residence on Motukorea (Browns Island) in the Waitemata Harbour until his death nearly 72 years later.

An Edinburgh-born and trained physician, he turned his back on medicine to speculate in property when Auckland was about to become the capital in 1841 but soon, with Brown, became one of the first Auckland merchants to export directly to England.

His firm became a leading merchant trader and brewer and in 1897, amalgamated with Ehrenfried Bros to become the Campbell & Ehrenfried Company.

Campbell's greatest gift was in 1901 when he bequeathed Cornwall Park, Auckland, to the people of New Zealand.