Adelaide Photographic Co., c. 1875, Photograph, B 6153
Sir Thomas Elder Scottish-Australian pastoralist, businessman, philanthropist, politician and public figure. He migrated to South Australia and home was Birksgate at Glen Osmond. He held a pastoral area larger than Scotland. In 1866 introduced camels to South Australia which help to develop the north of the state. He held interests in Moonta and Wallaroo Copper Mines. He encouraged and financially supported exploration, sport, the Art Gallery of SA, University of Adelaide. He funded the professorships of mathematics, natural philosphy, physics, music, anatomy and histology. He never married and was knighted in 1878.