Sir Thomas Brisbane was born in Largs 251 years ago today

Thomas Brisbane, or Major General Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane, as he would eventually become known, was born in the town 251 years ago today, July 23.

He gave his name to the town that would eventually become a city and the state capital of Queensland, in Australia, after serving for four years as the governor of New South Wales.

With Brisbane set to host the Olympics in 2032, Brisbane City Council sent a delegation to Largs last year in a bid to establish a link between the two communities and to open up the possibility of exchange trips and school partnerships – as well as opening a door for Largs to capitalise on the tourism possibilities.

The young Thomas Brisbane would grow up to become a British Army officer, administrator and astronomer before being appointed on the recommendation of the Duke of Wellington, with whom he had served, as governor of New South Wales in 1821.

The call to make more of the town’s Brisbane links comes from local independent councillor Ian Murdoch, who says he meets many people who have no idea that Largs and Brisbane are so closely linked and who know little or nothing about Sir Thomas and his legacy.

David Muir from Clem Trust meets councillors upon visit to Brisbane House Hotel in Largs (Image: Alan Hill)

Councillor Murdoch said: "It kind of surprises me the amount of people I speak to who do not know that Brisbane in Australia is named after a Largs man, who did so many great things, not just for the town but for New South Wales in Australia, and for astronomy.

"I am very proud that the Men's Shed in Largs which I am involved with is within the Brisbane Centre in Largs, and we also have the likes of Brisbane Taxis, Brisbane House Hotel, Brisbane Road and Brisbane Street. 

"I think it is a huge deal, not just for Largs but for North Ayrshire.

“I can't understand why there has not been a twinning connection made between Largs and Brisbane already."

Mainly remembered as a patron of science, he built an astronomical observatory at Parramatta, Australia, and a combined observatory and magnetic station at Makerstoun, near Kelso.

In 1828, he won the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society, and he published The Brisbane Catalogue of 7,385 stars of the Southern Hemisphere in 1835. 

Such was his contribution to astronomy that a crater on the Moon has been named after him.

But Sir Thomas was also a great benefactor to Largs.

Sir THomas Brisbane (Image: Newsquest)

He provided money to build a new school in the town in 1842, and saved people's lives after funding a state-of-the-art sanitation system to help keep the deadly disease of cholera at bay.

Today, Largs Academy's conference room is named after him, while the remains of an observatory he built in Largs still stand today.

But the strongest physical link to his Largs roots, the Brisbane House mansion where Sir Thomas was born and died, has passed into history after being used during the Second World War for target practice by commandos, with only remnants of some of the entrance door, and the wine cellar, still existing.

Councillor Murdoch said: "I think we need to see a plaque or sign on Brisbane Glen Road with some kind of recognition of where Sir Thomas lived.

“When you drive up Brisbane Glen, there is nothing there to tell people of this amazing legacy. All my family come from Brisbane Glen, and my mum lived in Brisbane Lodge, which is now a domestic dwelling, as a wee girl."

"I am hoping to continue to increase the connection and build stronger links.

“There is an excellent opportunity with the Brisbane Olympics’ opening ceremony in 2032 falling on the birthday of Sir Thomas Brisbane’ to take full advantage of this.”

“Last year, David Muir from The Clem Muir Trust visited Largs and presented me with a certificate from the Lord Mayor of Brisbane about strengthening our ties and improving educational opportunities for schools, and I handed that certificate to the Provost of North Ayrshire Anthea Dickson."

David Ennis (Image: Newsquest)

David Ennis, who is involved in the Brisbane Observatory Trust in Largs, and has previously called for a statue of Sir Thomas to go up in the town, said: "A twinning arrangement would hopefully be able to apply for grants and provide an excellent source of funds to get some recognition.

"As it stands there is very little in Largs that recognises the connection which is a great shame.

"He was a giant in his day but has been forgotten in modern times.

"We have been working with Twinkl, which is a school resources package which provides information for teaching in schools and concentrates on the educational side of Sir Thomas Brisbane, given his great astronomical achievements."