Samuel Revans
Encyclopedia
Samuel Revans was a notable New Zealand
newspaper owner, entrepreneur and politician. He was the Father of Journalism in New Zealand.
but, as was common in the early 19th century, the day, month and even the exact year of his birth have been lost to history. He was trained as a printer, and worked in London.
in Canada
, where they founded one of the first Canadian daily newspapers, the Montreal Daily Advertiser. Chapman returned to England in 1834, but Revans remained until 1837, when journalist indiscretions in connection with Papineau’s revolt required his hasty return to England. Chapman and Revans were to be reunited in New Zealand, where Chapman became a leading jurist. Back in England, Revans was involved in Chartist disturbances, and was introduced by J. A. Roebuck to the New Zealand Company
. He became secretary of the Executive Committee of the New Zealand Company and the editor of the New Zealand Gazette, which he initially printed in his London office on 21 August 1839.
's Port Nicholson. On 18 April of the same year, he published the second edition of New Zealand Gazette, the first newspaper published in the newly-settled islands. He also invested in the timber
business, and established a number of farms. Gradually, he became more distant from his newspaper, leaving both the printing and the editing to his staff. He also began to question the effectiveness of Wakefield's New Zealand Company. Eventually, his publishing business collapsed, leaving him reliant on his other properties for income.
In 1848, Revans became prominent in the newly-formed Wellington Settlers' Constitutional Association, which advocated representative government. Revans' involvement was briefly interrupted by a sudden business venture – sailing to San Francisco with a cargo of timber and potatoes, which he hoped to sell to participants in the California gold rush
. When this enterprise failed to meet with its expected success, Revans returned to New Zealand, where he and William Mein Smith
had established a large station at Huangaroa, near modern Masterton
, in Wairarapa
.
. He was successful, and represented the Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay electorate in the 1st New Zealand Parliament
. In the 2nd New Zealand Parliament
, he contested a 27 November 1856 by-election against Robert Hart
in the Hutt
electorate and gained 96 votes against 24 for Hart. Revans resigned on 22 March 1858. Politically, he generally supported Isaac Featherston
, a prominent Wellingtonian politician, and opposed Edward Gibbon Wakefield
and his son Edward Jerningham Wakefield
. Revans was known for his then-radical views on many subjects, including a strong support for republicanism
.
, Wairarapa
at the age of approximately 80.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
newspaper owner, entrepreneur and politician. He was the Father of Journalism in New Zealand.
Early life
Samuel Revans is known to have been a native of LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
but, as was common in the early 19th century, the day, month and even the exact year of his birth have been lost to history. He was trained as a printer, and worked in London.
Canada and England
He then joined Henry Samuel ChapmanHenry Samuel Chapman
Henry Samuel Chapman was an Australian and New Zealand judge, colonial secretary, attorney-general, journalist and politician.-Early life:...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, where they founded one of the first Canadian daily newspapers, the Montreal Daily Advertiser. Chapman returned to England in 1834, but Revans remained until 1837, when journalist indiscretions in connection with Papineau’s revolt required his hasty return to England. Chapman and Revans were to be reunited in New Zealand, where Chapman became a leading jurist. Back in England, Revans was involved in Chartist disturbances, and was introduced by J. A. Roebuck to the New Zealand Company
New Zealand Company
The New Zealand Company originated in London in 1837 as the New Zealand Association with the aim of promoting the "systematic" colonisation of New Zealand. The association, and later the company, intended to follow the colonising principles of Edward Gibbon Wakefield, who envisaged the creation of...
. He became secretary of the Executive Committee of the New Zealand Company and the editor of the New Zealand Gazette, which he initially printed in his London office on 21 August 1839.
New Zealand
Revans arrived in New Zealand on the ship Adelaide on 7 March 1840, docking at Wellington HarbourWellington Harbour
Wellington Harbour is the large natural harbour at the southern tip of New Zealand's North Island. New Zealand's capital, Wellington, is on the western side of Wellington Harbour. The harbour was officially named Port Nicholson until it assumed its current name in the 1980s.In Māori the harbour is...
's Port Nicholson. On 18 April of the same year, he published the second edition of New Zealand Gazette, the first newspaper published in the newly-settled islands. He also invested in the timber
Timber
Timber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S...
business, and established a number of farms. Gradually, he became more distant from his newspaper, leaving both the printing and the editing to his staff. He also began to question the effectiveness of Wakefield's New Zealand Company. Eventually, his publishing business collapsed, leaving him reliant on his other properties for income.
In 1848, Revans became prominent in the newly-formed Wellington Settlers' Constitutional Association, which advocated representative government. Revans' involvement was briefly interrupted by a sudden business venture – sailing to San Francisco with a cargo of timber and potatoes, which he hoped to sell to participants in the California gold rush
California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
. When this enterprise failed to meet with its expected success, Revans returned to New Zealand, where he and William Mein Smith
William Mein Smith
William Mein Smith was a key actor in the early settlement of New Zealand's capital city, Wellington. As the Surveyor General for the Wakefield's New Zealand Company at Port Nicholson from 1840 to 1843, he and his team surveyed the town of Wellington, after finding the land on the Petone foreshore...
had established a large station at Huangaroa, near modern Masterton
Masterton
Masterton is a large town and local government district in the Wellington Region of New Zealand. It is the largest town in the Wairarapa, a region separated from Wellington by the Rimutaka ranges...
, in Wairarapa
Wairarapa
Wairarapa is a geographical region of New Zealand. It occupies the south-eastern corner of the North Island, east of metropolitan Wellington and south-west of the Hawke's Bay region. It is lightly populated, having several rural service towns, with Masterton being the largest...
.
Political career
When self-government for New Zealand was finally instituted, Revans stood in the first general electionNew Zealand general election, 1853
The 1853 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 1st term. It was the first national election ever held in New Zealand, although Parliament did not yet have full authority to govern the colony, which was part of the British Empire at...
. He was successful, and represented the Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay electorate in the 1st New Zealand Parliament
1st New Zealand Parliament
The 1st New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. It opened on 24 May 1854, following New Zealand's first general election . It was dissolved on 15 September 1855 in preparation for that year's election...
. In the 2nd New Zealand Parliament
2nd New Zealand Parliament
The 2nd New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. It opened on 15 April 1856, following New Zealand's 1855 election. It was dissolved on 5 November 1860 in preparation for 1860–61 election...
, he contested a 27 November 1856 by-election against Robert Hart
Robert Hart (New Zealand)
Robert Hart was a New Zealand politician.He left London in April 1843 on board the Mary, arriving in Wellington on 9 August 1843.He was also baptised on 4th April 1815...
in the Hutt
Hutt (New Zealand electorate)
Hutt was a New Zealand Parliamentary electorate. It was one of the original electorates in 1853 and existed during two periods until 1978. It was represented by 13 Members of Parliament.-Population centres:...
electorate and gained 96 votes against 24 for Hart. Revans resigned on 22 March 1858. Politically, he generally supported Isaac Featherston
Isaac Featherston
Dr. Isaac Earl Featherston was a New Zealand politician, and was known for his advocacy for the establishment of New Zealand self-government, and the importance of the provincial governments.-Early life:...
, a prominent Wellingtonian politician, and opposed Edward Gibbon Wakefield
Edward Gibbon Wakefield
Edward Gibbon Wakefield was a British politician, the driving force behind much of the early colonisation of South Australia, and later New Zealand....
and his son Edward Jerningham Wakefield
Edward Jerningham Wakefield
Edward Jerningham Wakefield was the only son of Edward Gibbon Wakefield. He was born in London, and educated in England and France....
. Revans was known for his then-radical views on many subjects, including a strong support for republicanism
Republicanism in New Zealand
Republicanism in New Zealand is a theoretical political concept, the implementation of which would result in changing New Zealand's current constitutional monarchy to that of a republic...
.
Death
Samuel Revans died in relative obscurity in GreytownGreytown, New Zealand
Greytown or Te Hupenui, population 2,001 , is a town in the Wellington region of New Zealand. It lies in the Wairarapa, in the lower North Island...
, Wairarapa
Wairarapa
Wairarapa is a geographical region of New Zealand. It occupies the south-eastern corner of the North Island, east of metropolitan Wellington and south-west of the Hawke's Bay region. It is lightly populated, having several rural service towns, with Masterton being the largest...
at the age of approximately 80.