Arnold, William Munnings, 1819 – 1875

William Munnings Arnold (1819-1875), pastoralist and parliamentarian, was born in England. He arrived in Sydney in 1839 with capital of twelve thousand pounds. After first investing in livestock, which nearly ruined him financially, he then invested in gold and acquired property on the Paterson River.

Arnold was a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly for the seat of Durham from April 1856 to April 1859 and then for the seat of The Paterson from June 1859 to his death in March 1875. Arnold was Speaker of the Legislative Assembly from November 1865 until his death in March 1875. William Arnold's son Richard Aldous Arnold became Clerk of the Legislative Assembly in 1904.