John Batman was an English settler and explorer known for founding the city of Melbourne in Australia in 1835. He played a significant role in the early European settlement of the region, negotiating with the local Aboriginal people for land. His efforts contributed to the establishment of a thriving community that would grow into one of Australia's largest cities. Batman was also a controversial figure due to his dealings with the Aboriginal population, which included land transactions that were not recognized by the Indigenous people. His legacy is complex, as he is both celebrated for his contributions to Melbourne and critiqued for his impact on the local Aboriginal communities.