Paul Edmund de Strzelecki (20 July 1797 — October 1873) was a Polish man who taught himself geology.[1] He became famous for his explorations in Australia.
He was born in Gluszyna, near Poznan, Western Poland in 1797 and later served briefly with the Prussian army. He tried unsuccessfully to marry a young girl, and then was accused of stealing money from his employer.[1] He moved to London and gave himself the title of Count Strzelecki.[1] In 1834 he went to North America and spent time visiting mineral areas and exploring for minerals. He is said to be the first person to find copper in Canada.[1] In 1836 he travelled along the west coast from Chile to California.
He spent several years in Tasmania before going back to Sydney. He went back to London in 1843. He wrote a book on his discoveries in Australia called Physical Description of New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land.[1] He was given the Founder's Medal by the Royal Geographical Society.[1]
In 1847—8 he was put in charge of the giving out money in Ireland during the Great Famine for the British Relief Association. He established standards for giving out assistance that are still being used.[1]
He was made a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society and the Royal Society.[1] He was awarded the K.C.M.G. in 1869.[1] He died from cancer in 1873. He left instructions that after his death his papers were to be burnt and his body buried in an unmarked grave.[1]
