James Erskine Calder

James Erskine Calder (8 June 1808 – 20 February 1882) was a Surveyor General of the Colony of Tasmania, now an Australian state.

He cut a track through the mountains to prepare for Lieutenant-Governor Sir John Franklin's proposed expedition to Macquarie Harbour on the West Coast, Tasmania.

On the journey in 1842, Calder once travelled 77 kilometres (48 mi) in 54 hours to bring a return load of supplies weighing 36 kilograms (79 lb), at the same time cutting a section of new track and securing bridges.

Calder appointed reliable surveyors in the districts, providing a good foundation for future survey systems.

[1] On 30 June 1870, the position of Surveyor General was abolished and Calder accepted the role of Serjeant-at-arms in parliament.