Complex sentence: Born in Adelaide, John Downer (the son of Henry Downer who came to South Australia in 1838 and his wife Jane, "née" Field) was educated on a scholarship at St Peter's College, Adelaide, where he was a brilliant student.
Split into simpler sentences: Born in Adelaide, John Downer was the son of Henry Downer who came to South Australia in 1838 and his wife Jane, "née" Field. He was educated on a scholarship at St Peter's College, Adelaide, where he was a brilliant student.