Burke, ROBERT O'HARA

Burke, ROBERT O'HARA, one of the first white men to cross the Australian continent from south to north, was born at St Cleram, County Galway, in 1820, was educated in Belgium, served in the Austrian army (1840), became captain, joined the Irish constabulary (1848), and emigrated to Australia in 1853. While inspector of police in Victoria he accepted the leadership of an expedition for crossing the Australian continent. After many hardships, Burke and Wills reached the tidal waters of the Flinders River. Burke died of starvation on his return journey, 28th June 1861. An expedition brought his remains and Wills's to Melbourne; and statues have been erected to their memory. See AUSTRALIA, vol. i. p. 592; and Wills's Exploration of Australia (1863).