William James (William) Farrer (1845–1906)

Australian wheat breeder. Born in Westmorland. BA, Cambridge (Pembroke College), 1868. Emigrated to Australia in 1870. Worked as a surveyor, 1875–86. From 1886, concentrated on crossbreeding wheat for disease resistance and drought tolerance, creating an experimental station for the purpose at his home at Lambrigg on the Murrumbidgee River. Originator of the ‘Federation’ strain of wheat.