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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.

fresh from the Channel Fleet (Sir Harry Holdsworth Rawson)

1901
Sir Leslie Ward, Vincent Brooks, Day & Son (lithographer) and Vanity Fair Magazine (publisher)

from the series ‘Vanity Fair’
chromolithograph on paper (sheet: 39.0 cm x 26.5 cm)

Sir Harry Holdsworth Rawson GCB GCMG (1843–1910) was appointed governor of New South Wales in January 1902 having distinguished himself in the course of various conflicts as an officer of the Royal Navy. Rawson was the first naval officer appointed to the NSW role since William Bligh, but unlike that particular predecessor he was a popular governor, known for the enthusiasm with which he attended to his social and charitable duties, and for his enjoyment of sport. His wife, Florence, had died while on a return voyage to Sydney from England in 1905, after which his daughter Alice fulfilled her mother’s duties. Rawson was promoted to admiral in 1903, admitted to the Order of the Bath in 1906, and to the Order of St Michael & St George in 1909. Rawson’s term as governor, which was extended by a year, ended in 1909, after which he lived in retirement in London. The Rawson Cup – an intercollegiate competition in eight sports including rowing, rugby, athletics and swimming – is still contested annually by students at the University of Sydney.

Purchased 2015

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.

Artist and subject

Sir Leslie Ward (age 50 in 1901)

Vincent Brooks, Day & Son

Vanity Fair Magazine

Sir Harry Holdsworth Rawson GCB GCMG (age 58 in 1901)

Subject professions

Government and leadership

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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.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency