John Joseph William Molesworth Oxley (1784?-1828), surveyor-general and explorer, was born at Kirkham Abbey near Westow, Yorkshire, England.
He joined the navy in 1799 as a midshipman in the Venerable, and transferred in November 1801 to the Buffalo, in which as master's mate he sailed to Australia. Between 1802 and 1807, he journeyed to Australia for coastal survey work. He came back to Sydney in November 1808 to be the first lieutenant on H.M.S. Porpoise, having sailed out as agent for the Transport Board in the convict ship Speke, in which he shipped goods worth £800 as an investment.
In 1811, he retired from the navy, and in May 1812 sailed for Sydney in the Minstrel to take up his new duties as Surveyor-General.
Oxley's naval experience fitted him better for coastal survey work than for inland exploration. In October 1823, he sailed north and on his return explored Moreton Bay and the Brisbane River, up which he sailed about 80 kilometres. His favourable report was followed by the formation of a penal settlement. 1823, his salary was increased from 15s. to £1 a day.
On 31 October 1821, John Oxley married Emma Norton (1798-1885) at St Philip's Church. They had two sons, John (b.1824) and Henry (b.1826). Earlier, Oxley fathered two daughters by Charlotte Thorpe and one by Elizabeth Marnon.
Oxley died at Kirkham on 26 May 1828 at the age of 42 years. He was buried in the Devonshire Street cemetery in Sydney.