James Clark
2 October 1857 — 9 July 1933
James Clark (14‑22‑12)
James Clark "The Pearl King" (1857-1933) was born on the Hunter River in NSW. When he was three, he came to Brisbane with his mother and siblings, following the death of his father Adam. After a rudimentary education, he began work as a plasterers' boy at James Campbell & Co.
Some years later after gaining business experience, he went north to Cape York and entered into a business partnership with Frank Jardine in 1881 to try pearling. The business prospered and, by the time the partnership ended, they had built up a fleet of pearling vessels which was divided between them. James became a leader in the pearling industry and later a successful pastoralist.
James Clark - The Brisbane Courier, 10 July 1933
Learn more
- James Clark – the Pearl King - New Farm and Districts Historical Society