watercolourist and landowner, was born in Durham, England, probably in about 1800. In 1821 he came to Van Diemen’s Land with his brother, Robert, aboard the Westmoreland . For two years he worked as overseer on the property of Edward Lord, chief magistrate of Hobart Town. He wrote lengthy letters home describing the homestead, the topography and local customs (Mitchell Library [ML]). After receiving land grants from Governor Macquarie, the brothers settled at Green Valley on the Lower Clyde. Robert later sold out to George and joined the New South Wales Surveyor-General’s Department in 1826. Since Robert must have had some professional training for this position, it seems likely that George had some early instruction in draughtsmanship as well, but nothing further is known about his life.
The National Library holds George Dixon’s watercolour, Green Valley. A West View. George Dixons Farm Van Diemen’s Land in 1827 , alternatively titled Green Valley Homestead, Van Diemen’s Land . Its naive style is extremely informative about the layout of an early Australian garden. A related pencil, ink and wash drawing (ML) annotated 'Copyed from a Drawing by Geo Dixon Cockfield 8th Month 1832, Aged 12’ is presumably the work of a young English relative.
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- Writers:
- Staff Writer
- Date written:
- 1992
- Last updated:
- 2011
