George Collingridge

He was born in Oxfordshire, England, educated in Paris (in the 15th arrondissement), served in the Papal Zouaves (alongside his brother Alfred, who died in the Battle of Mentana), and migrated to Australia in 1879 aboard the Lusitania (not the ship of the same name that sank in 1915).

He settled in the then isolated area of Berowra, before moving to nearby Hornsby, New South Wales.

Since his French academic qualifications as a "Professeur" were not recognised by Australian universities, he worked as an artist and art teacher, and contributed drawings and articles to local newspapers.

[2][3] His publication of The Discovery of Australia in 1895 earned him accolade as a "genius" and as "an authority on geographical matters" from members of the Royal Geographical Society as well as foreign honours: in 1908 he was created a Knight Commander of the Order of Santiago by the King of Portugal.

In 1917 he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of Isabella la Catolica by the King of Spain.