ULRICH, GEORGE HENRY FREDERICK (1830-1900) was born at Clausthal-Zellerfeld in Prussia, and educated at the high school there, graduating later at the royal school of mines in Clausthal. After spending several years in the Prussian department of mines he accepted an appointment with a silver mining company in Bolivia, but finding the country in a state of revolution he proceeded to Victoria, where he spent three years goldmining at Forest Creek, Daisy Hill and Bendigo. In 1857 he was assistant secretary and draughtsman to the royal commission on mining and thereafter for 12 years assistant geologist in the geological department. In 1867 he visited the Paris Exhibition in charge of a mineral collection from the Melbourne Technical Museum. On his return he wrote a description of the method of gold extraction at Schemnitz, Hungary. In 1869 he became curator of the mineralogical section of the University of Melbourne, with the right of private practice. He made a report to the government of South Australia on its copper and gold mines. In 1875 he paid a visit to New Zealand and made a report on the Otago goldfields which was printed with Hutton's report on the geology of the province. In 1877 he was appointed as the first head of the Otago School of Mines and professor of mining and metallurgy, a position which he occupied until his death (on 26 May 1900). He gradually brought together a fine collection of models and appliances, and was largely responsible for the great success of the school, which has sent qualified mining engineers to all parts of the world. Ulrich married (1871) a daughter of Thomas Spencer (Belfast, Ireland).

Cycl. N.Z., iv (p); Otago Daily Times, 28 May, 5 Jun 1900; Thomson i

Reference: Volume 2, page 209

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