Edward Gibbon Wakefield

Edward Gibbon Wakefield was a British politician and social reformer who played a significant role in the development of the British colonies in Australia. He was a key figure in the creation of the South Australian Company, which was established to establish a free settlement in South Australia. Wakefield was a strong advocate for the idea of a 'utopian' colony, where settlers could create a new society based on their own values and principles. He believed that this approach would allow for the creation of a more equal and just society, free from the constraints of traditional British society. Wakefield's ideas had a significant impact on the development of South Australia, and he is still remembered today as a pioneer of social reform in Australia.