Published June 18, 2025 | Version v1
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Ledger, Charles (1818-1905)

Authors/Creators

  • 1. ROR icon University of York

Description

This is a biography of Charles Ledger, a British farmer, adventurer, and entrepreneur who significantly influenced the global breeding of Andean alpacas and the cultivation of quinine-producing cinchona trees. After relocating to Peru, Ledger became deeply involved in the alpaca wool trade and undertook a perilous mission to smuggle alpacas out of Peru, successfully introducing them to Australia. Despite numerous hardships, Ledger established a breeding program that temporarily expanded alpaca farming in New South Wales. Following financial failure, he pioneered the smuggling of cinchona seeds from Bolivia, which enabled quinine production in Java and had lasting global medical impact.

Other

To cite from this page, please use any style (Chicago, Harvard, etc). Our preferred citation form is: Helen Cowie, ‘Charles Ledger (1818-1905)’, The Hispanic-Anglosphere: transnational networks, global communities (late 18th to early 20th centuries), project funded by the AHRC and the University of Winchester in partnership with the National Trust, [https://hispanic-anglosphere.com/individuals/charles-ledger-1818-1905  accessed – please add date].

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References

  • Helen Cowie, 'Charles Ledger (1818-1905)', The Hispanic-Anglosphere: transnational networks, global communities (late 18th to early 20th centuries), project funded by the AHRC and the University of Winchester in partnership with the National Trust, [https://hispanic-anglosphere.com/individuals/charles-ledger-1818-1905 accessed – please add date].