Richard Bingham Sheridan - 1822 - 1897, Maryborough, Qld, Australia
S 25° 32.232 E 152° 42.300
56J E 470362 N 7175533
Irish born Richard Sheridan's foresight, energy, and effort enabled the setting apart of Queen's Park in Maryborough for all to enjoy. There is a plaque with a 'timeline' on the side of a fountain.
Waymark Code: WMQ96J
Location: Queensland, Australia
Date Posted: 01/13/2016
Views: 6
The plaque on the fountain reads:
Richard Bingham Sheridan
His foresight, effort and energy gave Queen's Park for all to enjoy.
1/8/1822 Born County Mayo, Ireland
1842 Arrived Sydney, worked as farm manager
1845 Married Adele Masse, parented 3 sons
1846 Joined H M Customs Department
1853 Transferred to Moreton Bay (Qld)
10/12/1859 Took up position of Sub-collector of Customs Maryborough - the first appointment made by a Queensland Government
1869 Organised first plantings in this park
1873 Elected Chairman Botanic Gardens (Queen's Park) Board of Trustees. He influenced government to allocate funds for the development of the gardens. He appointed staff and also designed gardens and obtained plants. Other positions and roles included:
* Inspector of Polynesians
* Partner in Tinana Creek sugar plantation
* Foundation member of Hospital, and School of Arts Committees
* First Chairman of the Building Society
* Involved in establishment of public schools
* Maryborough Harbour Master
* Reached rank of Hon Lieut-Colonel in Queensland Volunteer Force
13/11/1882 Resigned as Chairman of Botanical Gardens Board
1882 Original R B Sheridan fountain built
1883 Elected M L A for seat of Maryborough. Cabinet minister for 18 months, acted as Postmaster General
1885 Appointed Trustee Brisbane Gardens
1888 Retired from Parliament
1897 Moved to Sydney (NSW). Died Eighth of June. Buried in Waverley Cemetery.
From the Monument Australia website: (
visit link)
The fountain was erected by public subscription and "commemorates Richard Bingham Sheridan for his services as a Government official and citizen. Mr Sheridan was Chairman of the Botanic Gardens (Queens Park) Board of Trustees and was instrumental in the development of the Park. The fountain began operation in 1882 and was re-commissioned in 1997."