Notable South Australians/Louis Edouard Bourbaud
Louis Edouard Bourbaud,
BORN at Cognac, in the Department of Charente, France, in 1838, where he passed his youth amongst vine-growing pursuits. Entered the navy at an early age, and whilst holding the office of Lieutenant of the ship "Ulme," took part in the bombardment of Sebastopol by the allied fleet. For his services in the Crimean war he received two medals from Queen Victoria, with other honors. During the Franco-Prussian War he held a captaincy in the National Guard at Paris, and when the Communists obtained possession of the capital, commanded the 75th Regiment at the siege instituted by the National Assembly. In 1875 M. Bourbaud was sent to the colony by Mr. Dutton, the then Agent-General for S.A., under engagement to the Government to promote the wine-growing industry here. This he succeeded in doing, and about a year after his arrival established the S. A. United Vineyards Association, the management of which he retained for a year and then resigned. His next venture was the Franco- Australian Alimentary Company, which was disposed of to Mr. Conrad. Subsequently he started the S. A. Winegrowers' Association, the management of which he retained till the time of his decease. In addition to this, he had charge of the vineyards of wines of Sir Thomas Elder, at Birksgate, Mr. S. Davenport, at Beaumont, and Mr. C. B. Young, at Kanmantoo. He was probably the cleverest expert in blending and treating wines the colony has ever had, and during his residence here contributed in a practical degree to our viticultural literature. In addition to this he wrote and published several interesting pamphlets on the wine-producing interests, olive cultivation, and kindred subjects. M. Bourbaud was indefatigable in his endeavours to promote commercial relationship between South Australia and his native land, and to a certain extent he was successful. His death took place at Adelaide, February, 1883, in his fortyfifth year, and he left a wife and four sons.