Challis, John Henry

Merchant and philanthropist who made his fortune selling wool and other merchandise. He was a prominent property owner, with holdings at Potts Point, and also ran cattle and sheep stations at his properties in southern New South Wales. He made generous donations to the University of Sydney allowing the establishment of the Challis professorships. After his death his estate was valued for probate at 60,000 pounds in England and 101,000 pounds in New South Wales. His bequest to the University of Sydney completely transformed the institution, and was estimated to be 250,000 pounds or $32 million in 2016.