sketcher and clergyman, was born in Gloucestershire, son of a Congregational minister. He came to New South Wales in 1853 and briefly taught at Christ Church of England parochial school at the southern end of Sydney. He was soon recommended to the Bishop of Newcastle and began training for a theological career in the Anglican Church. After teaching at country schools in Cassilis, Muswellbrook and Morpeth, Dove was ordained deacon in September 1855 and sent to the Darling Downs district (Queensland), then still part of New South Wales. He was priested in 1857. Two years later, Rev. W.W. Dove married and accepted the living of Jerry’s Plains in the Hunter River district. He contracted a hereditary disease in 1865 and, after suffering much pain, died on 23 March 1867, survived by his wife and children.

Halcombe states that Dove was 'very active’ while stationed at Cassilis and Muswellbrook and 'most useful in church decorations’. A letter to his sister Bessie in England dated 13 January 1855 (private collection, photoprint Mitchell Library) describes this period in some detail. It is embellished with numerous pen-and-ink sketches, including Church at Mt Dangar; East End of Chancel Decorated for Christmas , School House at Cassilis , St Alban’s Church School, Muswell Brook [sic] , Oleander Flower and Native Cherry Fruit and Christmas decorations. The style of the letter was, he said, inspired by the Illustrated London News . His larger ink drawing of St Alban’s Church, Muswellbrook is in the Mitchell Library.

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