{{Short description|Australian politician}} {{other people}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = Sir | name = Thomas Elder | honorific_suffix = GCMG | image = Thomas Elder 2.jpeg | caption = Elder, {{circa|1887}} | office = Member of the South Australian Legislative Council | term_start1 = 7 August 1863 | term_end1 = 18 March 1869 | term_start2 = 4 October 1871 | term_end2 = 1 August 1878<ref name=parliament>[https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Search/Member?type=member&id=4059 Sir Thomas Elder GCMG] Parliament of South Australia. Retrieved 3 May 2023.</ref> | birth_name = | birth_date = 5 August 1818 | birth_place = Kirkcaldy, Scotland | death_date = {{Death date and age|1897|3|6|1818|8|5|df=y}} | death_place = Mount Lofty, South Australia | death_cause = | other_party = <!--For additional political affiliations--> | spouse = | relations = William Elder (brother)<br/>Alexander Lang Elder (brother)<br/>George Elder (brother)<br/>Robert Barr Smith (brother-in-law) | children = | education = | alma_mater = | occupation = pastoralist, businessman, politician | profession = | known_for = importing camels to Australia<br/>philanthropy | cabinet = | committees = | portfolio = | awards = <!-- For civilian awards - appears as "Awards" if |mawards= is not set --> }}
'''Sir Thomas Elder''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|GCMG}} (5 August 1818 – 6 March 1897) was a Scottish-Australian pastoralist, highly successful businessman, philanthropist, politician, race-horse owner and breeder, and public figure. Amongst many other things, he is notable for introducing camels to Australia.
==Early years== Elder was born at Kirkcaldy, Scotland, the fourth son of George Elder, merchant, and his wife Joanna Haddow, ''née'' Lang.<ref>{{cite Australasia|Elder, Sir Thomas}}</ref>
Thomas' second eldest brother, Alexander Lang Elder (1815–1885),<ref name=Alex>{{Australian Dictionary of Biography |last=Gosse |first=Fayette |id2=elder-alexander-lang-3888 |title=Elder, Alexander Lang (1815–1885) |volume=4 |year=1972 |pages=133–134 |access-date=15 November 2022}}</ref> went to South Australia in 1839 and founded the firm of Elder and Company in Adelaide. He was joined by his brothers William (1813–1882)<ref name=William>{{Australian Dictionary of Biography |last=Gosse |first=Fayette |id2=elder-william-3475 |title=Elder, William (1813–1882) |volume=4 |year=1972 |pages=133–134 |access-date=15 November 2022}}</ref> and George (1816–1897).<ref name=George>{{Australian Dictionary of Biography |last=Gosse |first=Fayette |id2=elder-george-3889 |title=Elder, George (1816–1897) |volume=4 |year=1972 |pages=133–134 |access-date=15 November 2022}}</ref> In 1846 George and Alex went into partnership with experienced pastoralist W.S. Peter to establish a sheep run they named Warrow Station, located at Coulta near Port Lincoln. In August 1851 Alex was elected a member of the Legislative Council for West Adelaide. He resigned his seat in March 1853,<ref name="SA parl">{{Cite SA-parl |pid=4059 |name=Sir Thomas Elder GCMG |former=yes |access-date=15 November 2022}}</ref> and left South Australia. He settled in London in 1855, and acted as agent for the Adelaide company until 1884, when he and his sons established A. L. Elder & Company. William left Adelaide soon after Alexander, and George left in 1855.
==South Australia== thumb|right|"Birksgate", Elder's house in Glen Osmond, purchased in 1864. thumb|right|"The Pinnacle", Elder's summer house at Mount Lofty, built in 1885. thumb|right|Thomas Elder in 1864 Thomas Elder<ref name=Thomas>{{Australian Dictionary of Biography |last=Gosse |first=Fayette |id2=elder-sir-thomas-347 |title=Elder, Sir Thomas (1818–1897) |volume=4 |year=1972 |pages=133–134 |access-date=15 November 2022}}</ref> migrated to Adelaide in 1854 and worked with George for a year. After George departed, Thomas formed Elder, Stirling & Co, a partnership with Edward Stirling,<ref>{{Australian Dictionary of Biography |last=Mincham |first=Hans |id2=stirling-sir-edward-charles-ted-939 |title=Stirling, Edward (1804–1873) |volume=6 |year=1976 |pages=200–201 |access-date=15 November 2022}}</ref> Robert Barr Smith<ref>{{Australian Dictionary of Biography |last=van Dissel |first=Dirk |id2=barr-smith-robert-63 |title=Smith, Robert Barr (1824–1915) |volume=6 |year=1976 |pages=153–154 |access-date=15 November 2022}}</ref> and John Taylor. In 1856 Barr Smith married Thomas Elder's sister Joanna, and on Stirling and Taylor's retirement in 1863, Barr Smith and Thomas Elder formed Elder Smith and Co. In 1875, with Andrew Tennant,<ref name=Tennant>{{Australian Dictionary of Biography |last=Combe |first=Gordon D. |id2=tennant-andrew-1229 |title=Tennant, Andrew (1835–1913) |volume=6 |year=1976 |pages=255–256 |access-date=15 November 2022}}</ref> they formed the Adelaide Steamship Company.
In 1864 he persuaded Arthur Hardy to sell him his Glen Osmond home "Birksgate", which he developed considerably.<ref name=William /> In 1897 it passed to his nephew T. E. Barr Smith.<ref>Gunton, Eric ''Gracious Homes of Colonial Adelaide'' published by the author 1983 {{ISBN|0 959 2094 0 9}}</ref>
In 1885 he built a summer house in Scottish baronial style, "The Pinnacle", near Mount Lofty. After his death it was sold to John Lavington Bonython, who renamed the property "Carminow".<ref name=William /><ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5019086 The Prime Minister] ''The Advertiser'', 31 March 1906. Retrieved 3 May 2023.</ref>
==Pastoralist== Elder also had other important interests. In partnership with Robert Barr Smith, they acquired Nilpena Station in 1859.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southaustralianhistory.com.au/overview.htm|title=The Early South Australian Pastoral Industry |year=2014|access-date=2 August 2014|publisher=Flinders Range Research}}</ref> Other properties Elder acquired during this time included Ketchowla Station, Oulnina, Anabama, Tualkilky, Grampus, Ouratan and Netley.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56565858 |title=The man on the land |newspaper=The Register |date=25 May 1926 |access-date=14 September 2013 |page=14 |via=Trove}}</ref> In 1868 he chartered Henry Simpson's ''Kohinoor'' to return the "Afghans" and bring out another 60 camels and a fresh contingent of attendants.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31984053 |title=Novel Overland Carriage |newspaper=The South Australian Advertiser |date=13 November 1868 |access-date=29 April 2015 |page=2 |via=Trove}}</ref> They became an important factor in the development of the northern area of South Australia. He also established a horse-breeding centre at Blanchetown to supply stock to the Indian market.<ref name=lessons>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/55831138 |title=Lessons we can learn from our notable pioneers No.1 - Sir Thomas Elder |newspaper=The Mail |date=15 August 1936 |access-date=2 May 2023 |page=4 |via=Trove}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28783869 |title=Camels for the North |newspaper=The South Australian Advertiser |date=9 January 1866 |access-date=29 April 2015 |page=2 |via=Trove}}</ref>
==Investor, politician, race horses, vigneron== He attended the Paris Exhibition of 1878 as honorary commissioner for South Australia, and during this time he received his knighthood ({{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|KCMG}}).<ref name=lessons />
He was an enthusiastic yachtsman and for many years commodore of the Glenelg Sailing Club.<ref name=lessons />
Elder also had interests in the wine industry and was quite successful in exhibitions in Adelaide and London.<ref>{{Cite web|title = The winding vine of time|url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/columnists/the-winding-vine-of-time/story-fn845mx8-1226993068626|access-date = 15 July 2015|date = 18 July 2014}}</ref> He was also a founder of the Tintara Vineyard company in 1862.
==Philanthropy== Elder encouraged exploration, contributed largely to Warburton's 1873 expedition and Giles's in 1875, supplying camels in each case, which proved to be of the greatest value. He also contributed liberally to the cost of other explorations such as those by John Ross and the 1891 Elder Scientific Exploring Expedition led by David Lindsay,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/48091257/4063759 |title=Australian exploration. The Elder Expedition |newspaper=South Australian Register |location=Adelaide |date=26 March 1891 |access-date=4 May 2023 |page=6 |via=Trove}}</ref> and in no case sought or obtained any return for himself.<ref name=William />
He contributed substantially to the Art Gallery of South Australia's acquisition program. He himself published a small booklet in 1893: ''Notes from a Pocket Journal of a Trip up the River Murray in 1856'', recounting a voyage in the steamer ''Gundagai''.<ref name="William" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article101505270 |title=The Early Navigation of the Murray |newspaper=The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express |date=25 July 1919 |access-date=31 May 2014 |page=40 |via=Trove}}</ref>
===The University of Adelaide===
In 1874 he gave £20,000 towards an endowment fund for the newly established University of Adelaide, and on his death in 1897 bequeathed a further £65,000 to the university, £20,000 of which was for a School of Music.<ref name=bequest>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/87772686 |title=The Elder bequests |newspaper=The Chronicle |date=12 March 1898 |access-date=30 April 2023 |page=24 |via=Trove}}</ref> The Elder Conservatorium of Music perpetuates his name. Elder's combined gifts and bequests to the university amount to nearly £100,000.
====Elder Professor of Mathematics==== One of Elder's bequests established and funded the first professorships at the fledgling University; the Elder Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy; and the Elder Professor of Natural Sciences. The first incumbent, Sir Horace Lamb, an applied mathematician, lectured in pure and applied mathematics as well as giving instruction in practical physics. After Lamb's resignation in 1885 to take up a post at Owens College, Manchester, separate Chairs in Mathematics and Physics were established. The Elder Chair of Mathematics at the University of Adelaide has been held by many eminent mathematicians, including Nobel Prize winner Sir William Henry Bragg. :1. Sir Horace Lamb M.A. Sc.D. 1875–1885<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.uq.edu.au/crossroads/Archives/Vol%205/Issue%202%202011/Vol5Iss211%20-%208.Mainstone%20(p.45-55).pdf |title=The selection of Physics as a foundation discipline at the University of Queensland |journal=Crossroads |volume=V |issue=2: UQ Centenary |pages=45–55 |issn=1833-878X |year=2011 }}</ref> (Elder Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy) :2. Sir William Henry Bragg M.A. OM KBE PRS 1886–1908<ref>{{Australian Dictionary of Biography | last=Tomlin | first=S. G. | year=1979 | id=A070396b | title= Bragg, Sir William Henry (1862–1942) | access-date=7 October 2008 }}</ref> :3. Sir Robert William Chapman M.A. B.E. CMG Kt 1909–1919<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.austms.org.au/Gazette/2006/Mar06/historical.pdf |journal=Australian Mathematical Society Gazette |date=March 2006 |author= Graeme Cohen |title=The appointment of the first four professors of mathematics in the University of Melbourne |pages=14–21 }}</ref> :4. John Raymond Wilton B.Sc. M.A. D.Sc. 1920–1944<ref>{{Australian Dictionary of Biography |last=Potts |first=R. B. |title=Wilton, John Raymond (1884–1944) |volume=12 |id2=wilton-john-raymond-9148 |year=1990 |access-date=12 June 2012 }}</ref><ref name=Former>[http://www.adelaide.edu.au/records/archives/former/ Former Officers of the University of Adelaide], Archives, www.adelaide.edu.au</ref><ref name=Maths>{{cite journal |author=R. B. Potts |title=Mathematics at the University of Adelaide |journal=Australian Mathematical Society Gazette |issue=4 |year=1977 |page=37 }}</ref> :5. Harold William Sanders B.A. M.A. 1944–1958<ref name=Former/><ref>{{cite journal |author=Potts, R. B. |title=Mathematics at the University of Adelaide, Part 3: 1944–1958 |journal=Australian Mathematical Society Gazette |volume=12 |number=2 |year=1985 |pages=25–30 }}</ref> :6. Eric Stephen Barnes B.A.Hons. M.A. Ph.D. 1959–1974<ref name=Former/><ref>{{cite journal |author=Wall, G.E., Pitman, Jane and Potts, R.B. |title=Eric Stephen Barnes, 1924–2000 |journal=Historical Records of Australian Science |volume=15 |number=1 |year=2004 |pages=21–45 |url=http://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/HR03013.htm |doi=10.1071/hr03013 |url-access=subscription }} Also available at {{cite web |url=http://www.science.org.au/academy/memoirs/barnes.htm |title=AAS-Biographical memoirs-Barnes |access-date=12 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929205257/http://www.science.org.au/academy/memoirs/barnes.htm |archive-date=29 September 2009 }}</ref> :7. Ren Potts B.Sc.Hons. D.Phil. D.Sc. AO 1976–1990<ref name=Former/> :8. Ernie Tuck B.Sc.Hons. Ph.D. 1991-2002<ref name=Former/><ref>[http://www.adelaide.edu.au/adelaidean/issues/33382/news33550.html Ernie Tuck honoured], www.adelaide.edu.au</ref> :9. Charles E. M. Pearce B.Sc. M.Sc. Ph.D. 2005-2012<ref>[http://www.maths.adelaide.edu.au/people/charles.pearce Charles Pearce], www.maths.adelaide.edu.au</ref> :10. Mathai Varghese B.A. Ph.D. 2013- <ref>[http://www.maths.adelaide.edu.au/mathai.varghese/ Mathai Varghese], www.maths.adelaide.edu.au</ref>
====Elder Professor of Physics==== :1. Sir William Henry Bragg M.A. OM KBE PRS 1886–1908 :2. Sir Kerr Grant B.Sc.(Hons.) M.Sc. KCB 1911–1948 :3. Sir Leonard George Holden Huxley M.A. D.Phil. KBE 1949–1959 :4. John Henry Carver M.Sc. Ph.D. Sc.D. 1961–1978<ref>[http://www.aip.org.au/news/77 Obituary – John Henry Carver (1926-2004)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091013214330/http://www.aip.org.au/news/77 |date=13 October 2009 }}, www.aip.org.au</ref><ref>[http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/special/mss/carver/ Papers of Professor J.H. Carver], www.adelaide.edu.au</ref> :5. John Russell Prescott B.Sc.(Hons.) Ph.D. D.Phil. 1982–1990<ref>[http://www.adelaide.edu.au/adelaidean/issues/48821/news48869.html John Russell Prescott], www.adelaide.edu.au</ref> :6. Anthony William (Tony) Thomas B.Sc.(Hons.) Ph.D. D.Sc.1990- <ref>[http://www.sciences.adelaide.edu.au/keys_to_the_universe.html Keys to the Universe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402231510/http://www.sciences.adelaide.edu.au/keys_to_the_universe.html |date=2 April 2012 }}, www.sciences.adelaide.edu.au</ref><ref>[http://www.physics.adelaide.edu.au/theory/staff/thomas/thomasbio_1102.html Prof. Anthony W. Thomas], www.physics.adelaide.edu.au</ref>
====Elder Professor of Music==== thumb|right|Statue of Elder in front of the Elder Conservatorium As well as later funding the Elder Conservatorium, Sir Thomas helped to establish the Elder Professorship of Music in 1883, with the first incumbent taking up the post in 1884. At the same time, Sir Thomas established endowment funds in parallel for the Royal College of Music in London and the Music Board of the University of Adelaide to support the Elder Overseas Scholarship (in Music).
All of the Elder Professors of Music have also served as Director/Dean of the Elder Conservatorium, providing artistic and academic leadership both in the Conservatorium and in the Faculties/Schools of Music/Performing Arts of which it has been part. :1. Joshua Ives Mus.Bac.(Cantab.) 1884–1901<ref>[http://www.adelaide.edu.au/records/archives/guide/UAR0012.htm Elder Conservatorium] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203000709/http://www.adelaide.edu.au/records/archives/guide/UAR0012.htm |date=3 December 2013 }}, www.adelaide.edu.au</ref> :2. J. Matthew Ennis D.Mus.(Adel.) 1902–1918 :3. E. Harold Davies Mus.Bac. D.Mus.(Adel.)1918–1948<ref>[http://www.adelaide.edu.au/adelaidean/issues/15601/news15629.html Professor Dr. E. Harold Davies], www.adelaide.edu.au</ref> :4. John Bishop OBE 1946–1966, pianist and arts administrator<ref>[http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/special/mss/bishop/ Professor John Bishop], www.adelaide.edu.au</ref> :5. David Galliver M.A.(Oxon.) AM 1966–1983, tenor :6. Heribert Esser M.Mus. 1986–1993, conductor :7. Charles Bodman Rae M.A.(Cantab.), DMus(Adel.), Ph.D. D.Mus.(Leeds) since 2001-, composer<ref>[http://www.adelaide.edu.au/directory/charles.bodmanrae Professor Dr. Charles Bodman Rae], www.adelaide.edu.au</ref>
====Elder Professor of Anatomy and Histology==== The first two incumbents of this position were known as the Elder Professor of Anatomy. It became the Elder Professor of Anatomy and Histology on the appointment of Professor Herbert Woollard in 1928. * Archibald Watson M.D. F.R.C.S. 1885–1919<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59638939 |title=People Talked About |newspaper=The Mail |date=27 December 1913 |access-date=25 June 2012 |page=8 |via=Trove}}</ref> * Frederic Wood Jones B.Sc. M.B.B.S. M.D. 1920–1927<ref>[http://health.adelaide.edu.au/surgery/society/Three_Eminent_Australians_The_Lasts.pdf The Lasts], health.adelaide.edu.au</ref> * Herbert Henry Woollard M.B.B.S. M.D. 1928–1929 * Herbert John Wilkinson B.A. M.B.Ch.B. M.D. 1930–1936 * Frank Goldby M.B.Ch.B. 1937-1944 * Andrew Arthur Abbie B.S. M.D. D.Sc. 1945-1970<ref>[http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/special/mss/abbie/ The Papers of Professor Andrew Arthur Abbie, 1905-1976], www.adelaide.edu.au</ref> * Janis Priedkalns B.V.Sc. M.A. Ph.D. 1972–1996
In 1996 the Wood Jones Professor of Biological Anthropological and Comparative Anatomy, named for the second Elder Professor of Anatomy, was established from an endowment by Professor Ray Last (1903–1993), who studied under Wood Jones in the 1920s before embarking on a successful career as a surgeon and teacher in Australia and the United Kingdom. The foundation Wood Jones Chair (1996-) is Professor Maciej Henneberg Ph.D. D.Sc.
====Other chairs==== * Ralph Tate, Elder Professor of Natural Sciences 1875–1901<ref>[http://www.adelaide.edu.au/adelaidean/issues/31921/news31932.html Art & Heritage Collections: Tate Museum], www.adelaide.edu.au</ref> * Edward Rennie M.A. D.Sc., Elder Professor of Chemistry 1886–1927
===Other philanthropy and bequests=== thumb|right|Elder Park Rotunda thumb|Rose Street cottages built in 1901-2 by Adelaide Workmen's Homes Inc., <br />with Elder's bequest In 1882, Elder donated the rotunda to Elder Park, which was renamed in his honour in 1907.<ref name=SAHistoryHub>{{cite web |url=https://sahistoryhub.history.sa.gov.au:443/places/elder-park?hh=1& |title=Elder Park |publisher=SA History Hub |access-date=30 April 2023}}</ref>
In 1884, as president of the South Australian Zoological and Acclimatisation Society, Elder donated the Sir Thomas Elder Rotunda to the society's zoological garden, now the Adelaide Zoo.<ref>[https://www.zoossa.com.au/about-us/history/ History] Zoos SA. Retrieved 30 April 2023.</ref><ref>This rotunda is located at the centre of the zoo - see: [https://www.adelaidezoo.com.au/adelaide-zoo-map/ Map of the Adelaide Zoo] Zoos SA. Retrieved 2 May 2023.</ref>
On his death in 1897, Elder left a bequest of £25,000<ref name=bequest /> for the construction of affordable homes for 'industrious and deserving' workmen, which led to the foundation of the not-for-profit Adelaide Workers’ Homes Inc.<ref>[https://adelaideworkershomes.com/why-awh-exists/ Why AWH Exists] Adelaide Workers’ Homes Inc. Retrieved 30 April 2023.</ref> Of the original 48 homes built from 1899 on a site in the Adelaide city centre bounded by Wakefield, Angas and Elder Streets, 13 still remain.<ref>Elton, Jude. [https://sahistoryhub.history.sa.gov.au/places/adelaide-workmens-homes Adelaide Workmen's Homes], SA History Hub, History Trust of South Australia. Retrieved 30 April 2023.</ref> Another set of semi-detached cottages in Arts and Crafts style were built in 1901–2, at 36-50A & 39-45A Rose Street, Mile End,<ref>McDougall & Vines,[https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/Content/heritage-surveys/West-Torrens-Heritage-Survey-(City-of)-1998-McDougall-Vines.pdf West Torrens Heritage Survey (1998)] pp. 196-7. Enviro Data SA > Heritage Surveys, Department for Environment and Water. Retrieved 30 April 2023.</ref> and are now state heritage-listed.
During his lifetime and in his bequests, Elder contributed over £170,000 to the Adelaide Benevolent and Strangers’ Friend Society, the oldest secular philanthropic society in South Australia. In 1898 funds from the bequest were used to buy land and construct the society's office at 17 Morialta Street, Adelaide, which was named "Elder Hall" in his honour,<ref>Marsden, Susan; Stark, Paul; Sumerling, Patricia (eds), ''Heritage of the City of Adelaide'', Corporation of the City of Adelaide, 1990, p. 173.</ref><ref>Manning, Catherine History Trust of South Australia, ''[https://sahistoryhub.history.sa.gov.au/places/elder-hall-0 Elder Hall]'', SA History Hub, History Trust of South Australia. Retrieved 4 May 2023.</ref><ref>Painter, Alison [http://www.sahistorians.org.au/175/chronology/february/2-february-1849-adelaide-benevolent-and-strangers-.shtml 2 February 1849 Adelaide Benevolent and Strangers' Friend Society] Professional Historians Association (SA). Retrieved 4 May 2023.</ref> and is state heritage-listed.<ref>[https://maps.sa.gov.au/heritagesearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p%20heritageno=1302 17 Morialta Street, Adelaide] SA Heritage Places Database. Retrieved 4 May 2023.</ref>
==Later years== He had a severe illness in 1887 and shortly afterwards retired. Elder Smith and Company was formed into a public company, and Elder afterwards lived chiefly in the country. He never married. Elder was knighted in 1878 ({{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|KCMG}}) and created Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) in 1887. He died from influenza at his home, "The Pinnacle", near Mount Lofty, on 6 March 1897,<ref name=lessons/><ref>{{Cite web|date=|title=Death of Sir Thomas Elder|url=https://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/special/stories/elder/death/|website=The University of Adelaide|language=en-GB|archive-date=December 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210233813/https://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/special/stories/elder/death/|url-status=live}}</ref> and was buried in the Mitcham cemetery.<ref name=funeral>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/34575956 |title=The late Sir T. Elder |newspaper=The Advertiser |date=9 March 1897 |access-date=3 May 2023 |page=6 |via=Trove}}</ref>
==Legacy== The Elder Range, adjacent to Wilpena Pound, and its highest point, Mt Aleck, were named after Thomas Elder's brother, Alexander Elder, in 1851.<ref>[https://manning.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/pn/e/e1.htm#elderR Elder Range] The Manning Index of South Australian History, State Library of South Australia. Retrieved 2 May 2023.</ref>
Lake Elder, a small salt lake east of Lake Frome, is named after Thomas Elder.<ref>[https://manning.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/pn/e/e1.htm#elderL Lake Elder] The Manning Index of South Australian History, State Library of South Australia. Retrieved 2 May 2023.</ref>
Elder is commemorated in the scientific name of a species of Australian gecko, ''Strophurus elderi''.<ref>Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). ''The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles''. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. {{ISBN|978-1-4214-0135-5}}. ("Elder", p. 82).</ref>
The South Australian electoral district of Elder is named in his honour.<ref>[https://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/electoral-districts/electoral-district-profiles/elder Elder] Electoral Commission of South Australia. Retrieved 2 May 2023.</ref>
Elder is mentioned in Jules Verne's 1891 adventure novel, ''Mistress Branican''.<ref>Tarrieu, Alexandre. ''Dictionnaire des personnes citées par Jules Verne'', vol. 1 : A-E, éditions Paganel, 2019, {{p.|293-294}}</ref><ref>[http://jv.gilead.org.il/zydorczak/bran07.html Jules Verne Mistress Branican (Chapitre IV-VI)] available at [http://jv.gilead.org.il/ Jules Verne Collection] (in French). Retrieved 4 May 2023.</ref>
==See also== *Elder Conservatorium *Elders Limited
==References== {{Reflist}}
* Linn, Rob (2001). [https://sahistoryhub.history.sa.gov.au/people/sir-thomas-elder-gcmg Sir Thomas Elder GCMG] SA History Hub, History Trust of South Australia. *{{Dictionary of Australian Biography|First=Thomas|Last=Elder|shortlink=0-dict-biogE.html#elder1|access-date=9 October 2008}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Elder, Thomas}} Category:1818 births Category:1897 deaths Category:Settlers of South Australia Category:Australian Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George Category:Members of the South Australian Legislative Council Category:Businesspeople from Adelaide Category:Adelaide Club Category:19th-century Australian politicians Category:People from Kirkcaldy Category:Scottish emigrants to colonial Australia Category:19th-century Australian businesspeople Category:Founders of Australian schools and colleges Category:University and college founders Category:Politicians from the Colony of South Australia Category:British emigrants to the Colony of South Australia