Augustus Theodore Alt b. c.1734

  • Artist (Draughtsman)
A surveyor and sketcher, whose view of Early Sydney in 1796 is in the collection of the National Library of Australia in Canberra.
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Surveyor and sketcher, drew a pen and wash view of Early Sydney in 1796 (National Library of Australia). Australia’s first land surveyor and Surveyor-General. Arrived with First Fleet on Prince of Wales transport ship. Gentleman, career soldier and engineer, son of Minister for Hesse-Cassel in London. Designed first three towns under Governor Phillip: Albion (Sydney), Parramatta and Tongabby (Toongabbie). Drew up these and other layouts of surveyed lands until retirement, though there is only one map signed by him. His pen and wash view of early Sydney of c1796 (NLA) is similar to a view by Watling and an image in Collins and is the only known topographic sketch signed by him.

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Writers:
Staff Writer
Date written:
1999
Last updated:
2011

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References [<ExternalResource: Kass, Terry (2008), 'Sails to Satellites: The Surveyors General of NSW (1786-2007)', Bathurst NSW: NSW Department of Lands.>, <ExternalResource: Johnson, Paul-Alan (28 February 2011) 'Information sourced from'.>, <ExternalResource: Johnson, Paul-Alan (2008), '‘The Planning and Patriarchy of Surveyor-General Augustus Alt’', Ashfield, NSW: Ashfield and District Historical Society.>, <ExternalResource: Information sourced from Proudfoot , Peter.>, <ExternalResource: McCormick, Tim (et al.; foreword by Bernard Smith) (1987), 'First Views of Australia 1788-1825 : a history of early Sydney', Chippendale, NSW : David Ell Press ; in association with Longueville Publications.>, <ExternalResource: Dowd, Bernard T. (1966), 'Alt, Augustus Theodore Henry (1731 - 1815)', Melbourne, Vic : Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 1, Melbourne University Press, pp 11-12.>] [<ExternalResource: Kass, Terry (2008), 'Sails to Satellites: The Surveyors General of NSW (1786-2007)', Bathurst NSW: NSW Department of Lands.>, <ExternalResource: Johnson, Paul-Alan (28 February 2011) 'Information sourced from'.>, <ExternalResource: Johnson, Paul-Alan (2008), '‘The Planning and Patriarchy of Surveyor-General Augustus Alt’', Ashfield, NSW: Ashfield and District Historical Society.>]