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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

The Gallery’s Acknowledgement of Country, and information on culturally sensitive and restricted content and the use of historic language in the collection can be found here.

Sydney (Sir Daniel Cooper)

1882
Sir Leslie Ward, Vincent Brooks, Day & Son (lithographer) and Vanity Fair Magazine (publisher)

from the series ‘Vanity Fair’
chromolithograph on paper (sheet: 38.0 cm x 26.3 cm)

Sir Daniel Cooper GCMG (1821–1902), a prominent colonial businessman, was born into a Lancashire merchant family and, after gaining some commercial experience, arrived in Sydney in 1843. His business in partnership with his brother-in-law and later his elder brother was said to be 'about the most extensive mercantile house in the Australian colonies'. A substantial landholder and director of multiple companies, Cooper, according to the Sydney Morning Herald in 1856, overpowered ‘the envy which commonly attends remarkable prosperity by a temper singularly humane and generous, and manners affable and unpretending'. A liberal politician and protégée of Sir Henry Parkes, Cooper was elected to the first New South Wales Legislative Assembly and served as its first Speaker. He supported numerous enterprises, such as the newspaper The Empire and the University of Sydney. Created baronet of Woollahra in 1863, Cooper continued to be a powerful advocate for colonial interests even after returning to England after 1861.

Gift of Mr Ronald Walker 2001

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.
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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

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