Sir Daniel Cooper

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Sir Daniel Cooper was the first president of the Philatelic Society London, the predecessor of today's Royal Philatelic Society London. He was born in Lancashire, England in 1821 and educated at University College, London. He emigrated to Australia with his parents in 1843 and by the age of 28, he was elected to the Legislative Council of New South Wales and was the first Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. His interest in stamps began upon returning to England in 1861. He formed a collection that included 32 volumes focused on Australia but he also collected Great Britain, France, Spain and Mauritius. His collection of Australian stamps sold in 1878 for £3,000, the first four-figure price for a stamp collection. He raised money for the dependants of servicemen in the Crimea War and relief of hardship in Lancashire during the cotton famine. He received a knighthood and was created first baronet of Woollahra, New South Wales (Bart). He also received the K.C.M.G and G.C.M.G.