Charles Berkeley

  • Artist (Draughtsman)
Charles Berkeley emigrated to South Australia where he joined the police ranks after a failed attempt at farming. An occasional sketcher known only for an outline sketch of a house, Berkeley's artistic reputation was thoroughly eclipsed by that of his wife's - the well known professional miniature painter Martha Maria Snell Berkeley.
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sketcher, army officer and policeman, son of William Snell Berkeley, was a cavalry officer in the 60th Rifles when he married the professional miniature painter Martha Maria Snell Berkeley (née Chauncy) at Charmouth, Dorset, in 1836. Soon afterwards, the Berkeley’s sailed in the John Renwick for South Australia where they farmed unsuccessfully. Captain Berkeley then became an inspector in the South Australian Police Force; he was a justice of the peace in 1851-53. He did a little sketching in South Australia, a modest effort in comparison to his wife. The South Australian Register of 29 October 1845 reported that he was responsible for an 'outline sketch’ of Charles Campbell’s house and garden taken from the opposite bank of the Torrens River, his 'bold and truthful’ line drawing being 'finished’ by Mrs Berkeley.

The Berkeleys moved to Victoria in about 1852 and Charles entered the Victorian Police Force. Initially stationed at Sandhurst (Bendigo), he was chairman of the meeting held there in April 1854 to found the Bendigo Mechanics Institute and was elected president. He resigned in September, having been transferred to Castlemaine. From there he moved to Portland and was promoted sub-inspector of police. He died at Portland on 26 January 1856.

Writers:
Staff Writer
Date written:
1992
Last updated:
2011

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