convict transportation to New South Wales in 1840 can be attributable to the actions of Bourke. Bourke abolished the status of the Anglican Church as the state church of New South Wales, declaring each religious denomination on equal footing before the law. He also increased spending on education and attempted to set up a system of public nondenominational schools. He was credited as the first governor to publish satisfactory accounts of public receipts and expenditures. In 1837, the year of his promotion to lieutenant-general, he was made colonel for life of the 64th (2nd Staffordshire) Regiment of Foot. The same year, he named the town of Melbourne after The 2nd Viscount Melbourne, the British Prime Minister. He returned to England in 1838, traversing the Andes to avoid a voyage around Cape Horn. Bourke Street in Melbourne's central business district and the town of Bourke were named after him. The County of Bourke, Victoria, which includes Melbourne, and Bourke County, New South Wales, were also named after him. Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, is generally considered to be named in honour of his wife. The bronze statue of Bourke outside the State Library of New South Wales in Sydney was the first public statue ever erected in Australia. It was dedicated on 11 April 1842. It records his accomplishments as governor in florid detail. It was funded by public subscription and made by Edward Hodges Baily in London. Bourke was promoted to general in 1851. He died at his residence, Thornfield House, Ahane, in County Limerick, Ireland, on Sunday 12 August 1855 and is buried in Stradbally Cemetery in Castleconnell. Family Bourke married Elizabeth, daughter of John Bourke, Receiver-General of the land tax for Middlesex; they had a son, Richard, and three daughters. One daughter, Anne Maria, married the Australian administrator and politician Sir Edward Deas Thomson, and was an ancestor of the Barons Altrincham. Another daughter, Frances, married Rev. John Jebb, nephew and namesake of a Bishop of Limerick. In popular culture Bourke is a supporting character in the 1937 novel Under Capricorn. References External links Images and transcript of Sir Richard Bourke's journal at the State Library of Victoria. Hazel King, 'Bourke, Sir Richard (1777–1855)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 1, Melbourne University Press, 1966, pp 128–133. Further reading 1777 births 1855 deaths Irish knights Irish officers in the British Army Military personnel from Dublin (city) People educated at Westminster School,