From Phillip to Grose: Leadership in New South Wales from 1788 to 1794

Abstract

This thesis considers the early history of NSW through analyzing and comparing the leadership styles of the founding governor, Arthur Phillip, and his reluctant successor, Francis Grose. It aims to reassess entrenched historical views about the effectiveness and character of both men. I argue that for the period from 1786 to mid 1790, Phillip's style of personal and direct leadership, honed in the Royal Navy was well suited to the requirements of establishing a distant colony populated largely by convicts. He instituted a viable capital works programme, the health of all was excellent and he successfully established the rule of law. However, Phillip's leadership was overwhelmed by the arrival of over 3000 convicts from June 1790 to February 1792, posing challenges which, on many levels, Phillip failed to meet. Francis Grose, an experienced army officer and well trained in the skills of delegation, pursued quite different approaches to leadership. Although his administration has been widely criticized by historians, it will be shown that under his administration the colony nearly achieved self sufficiency and the health of the colonists improved dramatically. Where the colony waxed and waned under Phillip's personal leadership, Grose's ability to delegate to his officers caused radical and positive changes in the dynamics of the colony.