Charles Alexander John Piesse

Born: 1812, Died: 06/03/1851

Charles Alexander John Piesse was born in 1812 in England.

Piesse arrived in Western Australia on October 25th 1850.

Piesse was appointed Colonial Secretary for the territory of Western Australia in March 1850. His term as Colonial Secretary was short lived because on March 6th 1851, after 132 days in office, Piesse died.

He had sustained “injuries” en route to Fremantle and his health was severely affected.

The actual cause of death of Charles Alexander John Piesse is somewhat confusing. One account tells that he “suffered injury on the voyage and died of old complaint”. However, a conflicting report, written on his deathbed by a doctor, tells that Piesse died of epilepsy.

Piesse was known to suffer epilepsy and he had several minor attacks before, prior to being diagnosed with the condition by an English doctor. It would certainly seem that he died of epilepsy, as he suffered an epileptic fit two weeks before dying. Charles was confined to bed, in varying stages of consciousness, for the subsequent two weeks. After this, he “rallied a little” but then promptly died.

Perhaps the most logical conclusion that one can draw is that Piesse sustained a head injury on the voyage to Australia. This head injury later provoked an epileptic fit.

Epilepsy in the Times of Piesse

Epilepsy was once associated with religious experience or demonic possession.

Charles Alexander John Piesse was a victim of epilepsy only eight years before proper research and development into the disease commenced.

By the time Piesse was affected by epilepsy, the notion that it was associated with demons had abated. It was still, however, thought to be contagious.

We have gathered that Piesse was afflicted with epilepsy. Whether this was a pre-existing condition or a direct result of the “incident” sustained on the voyage, we do not know. We do know for sure that he died in the wake of an epileptic fit. 

The 19th century marks a turning point in the treatment of epilepsy. It was during this era that physicians finally conceded that epilepsy was not related to religious phenomena. The newfound condition was described as “an occasional, an excessive and a disorderly discharge of nerve tissue on muscles.”  It also became recognized that epilepsy altered consciousness, sensation and behaviour.

In more recent times, Piesse would have been treated for his epilepsy and could have made a significant contribution to Western Australian history through his role as a public servant.