George Lansell

Bendigo Victoria

George Lansell arrived in Bendigo in 1854 and set up business with his two brothers and set up business as butchers, soap and candle makers. George Lansell invested from his soap making into numerous gold mines which resulted in him becoming the 'Quartz King of Bendigo' and the richest man in Australia in the late 1800's.

Lansell was twice married: first, to Bedelia Jarvis Mulqueen; and second, in London on 12 August 1883 to Harriett Edith Bassford by whom he had five sons and a daughter. He had settled in London early in the 1880s but after seven years he was petitioned by Bendigo townsmen to return and help to restore the declining industry. On the tailings of the 180 mine and within hearing of its batteries, he remodelled his villa, Fortuna, a mansion of over forty rooms, lavishly furnished with pieces collected from around the globe. He designed the spacious gardens with walks, lakes and imported plants.

Read more about George Lansell: http://www.bendigo.ws/Bendigo-History/Bendigo-People/George-Lansell.html