Joseph Bosisto

Joseph Bosisto CMG, MLA JP (March 21, 1827–November 8, 1898), was a chemist and politician in colonial Victoria, Australia.

Background

Bosisto is the son of William Bosisto and Maria née Lazenby, of Cookham, Berkshire, and was born on March 21, 1827, at Hammersmith. Studied at the Leeds School of Medicine. Becoming a druggist, he emigrated to Adelaide, South Australia, in 1848, where he established the business of Messrs. Faulding & Co. He proceeded to Melbourne in 1851, and began business at Richmond.

Benefits of Eucalyptus

The Eucalyptus tree

Having discovered the remarkable antiseptic properties of the eucalyptus, he went largely into the manufacture of its products. The Pharmaceutical Society of Victoria was founded mainly through his instrumentality in 1857. He was twice mayor of Richmond, and chairman of the local bench for five years consecutively.

Assemblies and Commissions

From 1874 to 1889 he was M.L.A. for the city, but was defeated in the latter year. Having represented Victoria at the Calcutta Exhibition in 1883, he was appointed President of the Royal Commission of that colony at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, held at South Kensington in 1886, for his services at which he was created C.M.G. on June 28th of that year. Mr. Bosisto was a J.P. for Victoria, and was president of the Technological Commission, and Examiner in Materia Medica and Botany at the College of Pharmacy.

In April 1892 Mr. Bosisto was re-elected to the Assembly for Jolimont and West Richmond, and he continued in that seat until September 1894.^[1]^[2]

Other

He married Eliza Johnston in Adelaide in 1852, there was no issue from this marriage.

Several Australian botanical species are named in honour of Bosisto, including Bosistoa floydii.

References