THOMAS, MORGAN (c. 1818-1903), public benefactor,

was born in Wales about the year 1818 (The Advertiser, Adelaide, which had been in touch with his executors stated that he was 85 when he died in March 1903). He qualified for the medical profession and came to Adelaide in 1851. He was appointed first house surgeon to the Adelaide hospital and practised at Nairne and Adelaide. He retired about 1870 and except for occasional trips to Europe and America, lived in Adelaide for the rest of his life. He had inherited property in Wales, and invested his money judiciously in bank and other shares. A much respected man of regular and precise habits, he spent much of his time at the Adelaide public library. He died at Adelaide on 8 March 1903. His wife had died many years before and he had no children. Under his will about £65,000 was left to the public library, museum and art gallery at Adelaide.