William FitzRoy was a British naval officer and politician, best known for his role as the second governor of the Colony of New South Wales in Australia from 1846 to 1855. He was born on July 28, 1810, and came from a prominent family, being the son of the 4th Duke of Grafton. FitzRoy was also a skilled sailor and contributed to various scientific expeditions. In addition to his governorship, FitzRoy is recognized for his work in meteorology. He established the first systematic weather forecasting service in the United Kingdom, which laid the groundwork for modern meteorological practices. He passed away on April 4, 1865.