Roderic O'Connor (land commissioner)

Roderic O'Connor (1784–1860) was an Irish Australian landowner and public official, most notable for his activities as a land commissioner in Tasmania.

O'Connor was notorious for his combative personality, and was constantly involved in verbal and legal feuding with local rivals, resulting in several court cases.

Roderic was named from Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair (Roderick O'Connor) the last High King of Ireland, from whom his father claimed lineal descent.

Roderic took the opportunity to visit Hobart in Van Diemen's Land (now called Tasmania) in the year of the trial.

He quickly acquired 1000 acres of land, which he improved with new buildings, and rapidly expanded his holdings, becoming one of the biggest landowners in Tasmania.

Supporting Arthur's policy of creating a Black Line to segregate Tasmanians he wrote, "Can we live in a wilderness surrounded by wretches who watch every opportunity and who take delight in shedding our blood?

Joseph Gellibrand, O'Connor's lawyer, gave "a detailed account of Fereday as the prince of usurers, lending money at 35 per cent interest".

[9] There was a long-running dispute between O'Connor and former colleague Joseph Henry Moore, which was played out in a series of letters in the Hobart Town Courier and The Colonial Times.