Franz Ludwig von Bibra

Franz Ludwig Freiherr (Baron) von Bibra, Sr. (10 February 1783 – 14 September 1823) was a soldier, author, and early settler of Tasmania, Australia.

After a brief visit to Germany in 1806, Franz Ludwig joined the Royal Corsican Rangers where he would eventually serve in the Mediterranean Sea.

The regiment was disbanded in 1816 and Franz Ludwig considered moving his family to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania), Australia.

(See link below) Franz Ludwig returned to Germany and in 1819 took the position in England as tutor to the two youngest daughters of future King William IV of the United Kingdom and his mistress Dorothea Jordan: Augusta and Amelia.

Arriving in Hobart on 10 January 1823 and persuading the Lieutenant-Governor William Sorell to give a grant of 1000 acres by the Macquarie River and ten assigned servants.

With the large family now fatherless and penniless, a public appeal was made which raised £165 (including 5 guineas from Lieutenant-Governor William Sorell).

Born in Bamberg to Friedrich August Anton Dietrich Freiherr (Baron) von Bibra, he was the fifth of seven sons who reached maturity.