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{{Short description|Australian politician}}
{{about||the American physician|George W. Thorn|other people|George Thorn (disambiguation)}}
{{for multi|the American physician|George W. Thorn|other people|George Thorn (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox Politician
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix = [[The Honourable|'''The Hon''']]
| name = George Thorn
| name = George Thorn
| image = George Thorn.jpg
| image = George Thorn.jpg
| caption =
| caption =

| office = 6th [[Premier of Queensland]]
| office = 6th [[Premier of Queensland]]
| term_start = 5 June 1876
| term_start = 5 June 1876
Line 9: Line 14:
| predecessor = [[Arthur Macalister]]
| predecessor = [[Arthur Macalister]]
| successor = [[John Douglas (Queensland politician)|John Douglas]]
| successor = [[John Douglas (Queensland politician)|John Douglas]]
| constituency = [[Electoral district of Ipswich|Ipswich]]
| birth_date = 6 November 1840

| birth_place = [[Sydney, New South Wales|Sydney]], [[New South Wales]],<br />[[Australia]] {{flagicon|Australia}}
| constituency_AM1 = [[Electoral district of West Moreton (Queensland)|West Moreton]]
| death_date = 13 January 1905
| assembly1 = Queensland Legislative
| death_place = [[Ipswich, Queensland|Ipswich]], [[Queensland]],<br />[[Australia]] {{flagicon|Australia}}
| term_start1 = 2 July 1867
| term_end1 = 18 November 1873
| predecessor1 = [[Joseph Fleming (Australian politician)|Joseph Fleming]]
| successor1 = Seat Abolished
| alongside1 = [[Patrick O'Sullivan (Queensland politician)|Patrick O'Sullivan]], [[Samuel Hodgson]], [[John Ferrett]], [[Joshua Peter Bell]], [[Frederick Forbes]]

| constituency_AM2 = [[Electoral district of Fassifern|Fassifern]]
| assembly2 = Queensland Legislative
| term_start2 = 25 November 1873
| term_end2 = 9 January 1874
| predecessor2 = New seat
| successor2 = [[John Thorn (Queensland politician)|John Thorn]]
| term_start3 = 4 August 1887
| term_end3 = 10 May 1888
| predecessor3 = [[Alfred Midgley]]
| successor3 = [[William Salkeld (politician)|William Salkeld]]
| term_start4 = 6 May 1893
| term_end4 = 11 March 1902
| predecessor4 = [[William Salkeld (politician)|William Salkeld]]
| successor4 = [[Thomas de Montmorency Murray-Prior|Thomas Murray-Prior]]

| office5 = [[Queensland Legislative Council|Member of the Queensland Legislative Council]]
| term_start5 = 9 January 1874
| term_end5 = 16 June 1876

| constituency_AM6 = [[Electoral district of Ipswich|Ipswich]]
| assembly6 = Queensland Legislative
| term_start6 = 20 June 1876
| term_end6 = 18 February 1878
| predecessor6 = [[Arthur Macalister]]
| successor6 = Seat abolished

| constituency_AM7 = [[Electoral district of Northern Downs|Northern Downs]]
| assembly7 = Queensland Legislative
| term_start7 = 17 April 1879
| term_end7 = 7 September 1883
| predecessor7 = [[Joshua Peter Bell]]
| successor7 = [[Hugh Muir Nelson]]

| birth_date = {{birth date|1838|10|12|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Sydney, New South Wales]],<br />Australia {{flagu|Australia}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1905|1|15|1838|10|12|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Ipswich, Queensland]],<br />Australia {{flagu|Australia}}
| restingplace = [[Ipswich General Cemetery]]
| spouse = Celia Constance Maude Uniacke
| spouse = Celia Constance Maude Uniacke
| occupation = [[Pastoral farming|Grazier]]
| relations = [[George Thorn (senior)|George Thorn Sr.]] (father), [[John Thorn (Queensland politician)|John Thorn]] (brother), [[Henry Thorn]] (brother), [[William Thorn (Queensland politician)|William Thorn]] (brother)
}}
}}
'''George Henry Thorn''' (junior) (12 October 1838 &ndash; 13 January 1905) was a [[Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly]] and a [[Premiers of Queensland|Premier of Queensland]], [[Australia]].
'''George Henry Thorn''' (junior) (12 October 1838 &ndash; 15 January 1905) was a [[Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly]] and a [[Premiers of Queensland|Premier of Queensland]], Australia.


==Early life==
==Early life==
George Thorn (junior) was born in [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], a son of [[George Thorn (senior)]] and his wife Jane (neé Handcock). His father was one of the founders of the city of [[Ipswich, Queensland|Ipswich]] and a founding [[Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly]] representing the seat of [[Electoral district of West Moreton (Queensland)|West Moreton]].
George Thorn was born in [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]], a son of [[George Thorn (senior)]] and his wife Jane (née Handcock). His father was one of the founders of the city of [[Ipswich, Queensland|Ipswich]] and a founding [[Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly]] representing the seat of [[Electoral district of West Moreton (Queensland)|West Moreton]].


George Thorn (junior) was schooled at [[The King's School, Sydney|The King's School, Parramatta]]. He attended the [[University of Sydney]] and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1858.<ref name=dab>{{Dictionary of Australian Biography|First=George|Last=Thorn|Link=http://gutenberg.net.au/dictbiog/0-dict-biogT-V.html#thorn1}}</ref>
Thorn was schooled at [[The King's School, Parramatta]]. He attended the [[University of Sydney]], and was one of the first residents of [[St Paul's College, University of Sydney]] and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1858.<ref name=dab>{{Dictionary of Australian Biography|First=George|Last=Thorn|shortlink=0-dict-biogT-V.html#thorn1}}</ref>


His sister Jane Thorn married [[George Harris (Queensland politician)|George Harris]], a [[Member of the Queensland Legislative Council]] in 1860. The couple lived for 27 years in the now [[heritage-listed]] [[Newstead House]] in Brisbane, where their parties were the highlight of Brisbane society.<ref name=nh>{{cite web|title=History and Virtual Tour|url=http://www.newsteadhouse.com.au/history/history.htm|work=Historic Newstead House on the Brisbane River|publisher=The Trustees of Newstead House|accessdate=11 February 2014}}</ref>
His sister Jane Thorn married [[George Harris (Queensland politician)|George Harris]], a [[Member of the Queensland Legislative Council]] in 1860. The couple lived for 27 years in the now [[heritage-listed]] [[Newstead House]] in Brisbane, where their parties were the highlight of Brisbane society.<ref name=nh>{{cite web|title=History and Virtual Tour|url=http://www.newsteadhouse.com.au/history/history.htm|work=Historic Newstead House on the Brisbane River|publisher=The Trustees of Newstead House|access-date=11 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005020653/http://www.newsteadhouse.com.au/history/history.htm|archive-date=5 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


==Political life==
==Political life==
On 2 July 1867 (the [[1867 Queensland state election]]), George Thorn (junior) followed in his father's footsteps by being elected a [[Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly]] in the seat of [[Electoral district of West Moreton (Queensland)|West Moreton]], which he held through a number of elections until 18 November 1873 (the [[1873 Queensland state election]]).<ref name=qp>{{cite web|title=Alphabetical Register of Members of the Legislative Assembly 1860-2012 and the Legislative Council 1860-1922|url=https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/explore/parliamentaryrecord/sections/Part%202.19.pdf|publisher=[[Queensland Parliament]]|accessdate=3 October 2013}}</ref>
At the [[1867 Queensland colonial election|1867 colonial election]], Thorn followed in his father's footsteps by being elected a [[Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly]] in the seat of [[Electoral district of West Moreton (Queensland)|West Moreton]], which he held until the [[1873 Queensland colonial election|1873 election]].<ref name=qp>{{Cite QldMLA|access-date=27 April 2020}}</ref>


Following that, he represented the seat of [[Electoral district of Fassifern|Fassifern]] from 25 November 1873 (the 1873 Queensland state election) until he resigned on 9 January 1874 in order to be appointed to the [[Queensland Legislative Council]] on 9 January 1874. His brother [[John Thorn (Queensland politician)|John Thorn]] won the resulting by-election in Fassifern on 24 January 1874.<ref name=qp/>
Following that, he represented the seat of [[Electoral district of Fassifern|Fassifern]] from 25 November 1873 (the 1873 Queensland state election) until he resigned on 9 January 1874 in order to be appointed to the [[Queensland Legislative Council]] on 9 January 1874. His brother [[John Thorn (Queensland politician)|John Thorn]] won the resulting by-election in Fassifern on 24 January 1874.<ref name=qp/>


During George Thorn's time on the Legislative Council, he was the Government's representative in the Council. He also held the role of Queensland Postmaster-General (9 January 1874 to 8 July 1876).<ref name=qp/>
During Thorn's time on the Legislative Council, he was the Government's representative in the Council. He also held the role of Queensland Postmaster-General (9 January 1874 to 8 July 1876).<ref name=qp/>


On 14 June 1876, [[Arthur Macalister]], member for [[Electoral district of Ipswich|Ipswich]], resigned. Although the Legislative Council was a lifetime appointment, George Thorn resigned on 16 June 1876 to successfully contest the seat of [[Electoral district of Ipswich|Ipswich]] at a by-election on 20 June 1876.
On 14 June 1876, [[Arthur Macalister]], member for [[Electoral district of Ipswich|Ipswich]], resigned. Although the Legislative Council was a lifetime appointment, Thorn resigned on 16 June 1876 to successfully contest the seat of [[Electoral district of Ipswich|Ipswich]] at a by-election on 20 June 1876.
George Thorn became Premier of Queensland and Secretary for Public Works and Mines on 5 June 1876. However, he resigned from these roles on 8 March 1877, but remained in the ministry of his successor, [[John Douglas (Queensland politician)|John Douglas]] as Secretary for Public Works from 8 March 1877 to 7 November 1877 and then as Secretary for Public Lands and Mines from 7 November 1877 to 6 February 1878.<ref name=qp/>


Thorn became [[Premier of Queensland]] and Secretary for Public Works and Mines on 5 June 1876. However, he resigned from these roles on 8 March 1877, but remained in the ministry of his successor, [[John Douglas (Queensland politician)|John Douglas]] as Secretary for Public Works from 8 March 1877 to 7 November 1877 and then as Secretary for Public Lands and Mines from 7 November 1877 to 6 February 1878.<ref name=qp/>
On 14 February 1878, George Thorn married Celia Constance Maude Uniacke, daughter of Richard Uniacke of Melbourne, at ''"Ellengowan"'' on the [[Darling Downs]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1370083 |title=Family Notices. |newspaper=[[Courier-Mail|The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933)]] |location=Qld. |date=19 February 1878 |accessdate=11 February 2014 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

On 14 February 1878, Thorn married Celia Constance Maude Uniacke, daughter of Richard Uniacke of Melbourne, at ''"Ellengowan"'' on the [[Darling Downs]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1370083 |title=Family Notices. |newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]] |date=19 February 1878 |access-date=11 February 2014 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>


Thorn resigned from the seat of Ipswich on 18 February 1878. [[John MacFarlane (Ipswich)|John MacFarlane]] won the resulting by-election on 7 March 1878.<ref name=qp/>
Thorn resigned from the seat of Ipswich on 18 February 1878. [[John MacFarlane (Ipswich)|John MacFarlane]] won the resulting by-election on 7 March 1878.<ref name=qp/>


Thorn became Queensland commissioner to the [[Exposition Universelle (1878)|1878 Paris Exposition]]. On his return from Europe,
Thorn became Queensland commissioner to the [[Exposition Universelle (1878)|1878 Paris Exposition]]. On his return from Europe, on 17 April 1879 by another by-election, he successfully contested the seat of [[Electoral district of Northern Downs|Northern Downs]] and held it until the [[1883 Queensland colonial election|1883 election]] in September.<ref name=qp/>
on 17 April 1879 by another by-election, he successfully contested the seat of [[Electoral district of Northern Downs|Northern Downs]] and held it until 7 September 1883 (the [[1883 Queensland state election]]).<ref name=qp/>


On 19 July 1887, [[Alfred Midgley]], the member for [[Electoral district of Fassifern|Fassifern]], resigned. George Thorn won the resulting by-election on 4 August 1887. He held the seat until 10 May 1888 (the [[1888 Queensland state election]]).<ref name=qp/>
On 19 July 1887, [[Alfred Midgley]], the member for [[Electoral district of Fassifern|Fassifern]], resigned. Thorn won the resulting by-election on 4 August 1887. He held the seat until the [[1888 Queensland colonial election|1888 election]].<ref name=qp/>


On 6 May 1893 (the [[1893 Queensland state election]]), George Thorn was elected again in Fassifern. He held the seat until 11 March 1902 when he was defeated in the [[1902 Queensland state election]] by [[Thomas_de_Montmorency_Murray-Prior]]. He had no further involvement in politics after that.<ref name=qp/>
On 6 May 1893 (the [[1893 Queensland colonial election|1893 Queensland state election]]), Thorn was elected again in Fassifern. He held the seat until 11 March 1902 when he was defeated in the [[1902 Queensland state election|1902 election]] by [[Thomas de Montmorency Murray-Prior]]. He had no further involvement in politics after that.<ref name=qp/>


==Later life==
==Later life==
On 15 January 1905, George Thorn died from heart failure at his home at [[Booval, Queensland]].<ref name=rem>{{cite web|title=Thorn, George (Jnr)|url=http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/apps/formermembers/memberBio1.aspx?m_id=289|work=Re-Member Database|publisher=[[Queensland Parliament]]|accessdate=14 February 2014}}</ref><ref name=obit>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124511342 |title=Death of the Hon. George Thorn. |newspaper=[[The_Ipswich_Herald_and_General_Advertiser|Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 - 1908)]] |location=Qld. |date=17 January 1905 |accessdate=14 February 2014 |page=9 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He was buried in the Anglican section of [[Ipswich General Cemetery]].<ref name=cem>{{cite web|last=Hall|first=Kerry|title=Ipswich General Anglican "B" Section|url=http://www.australiancemeteries.com/qld/ipswich/anglican_b.htm|publisher=Australian Cemeteries|accessdate=14 February 2014}}</ref>
On 15 January 1905, George Thorn died from heart failure at his home at [[Booval, Queensland]].<ref name=rem>{{cite web|title=Thorn, George (Jnr)|url=http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/members/former/bio?id=289|work=Re-Member Database|publisher=[[Queensland Parliament]]|access-date=14 February 2014}}</ref><ref name=obit>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124511342 |title=Death of the Hon. George Thorn. |newspaper=[[Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser]] |date=17 January 1905 |access-date=14 February 2014 |page=9 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He was buried in the Anglican section of [[Ipswich General Cemetery]].<ref name=cem>{{cite web|last=Hall|first=Kerry|title=Ipswich General Anglican "B" Section|url=http://www.australiancemeteries.com/qld/ipswich/anglican_b.htm|publisher=Australian Cemeteries|access-date=14 February 2014}}</ref>


==Legacy==
==Legacy==
The gold mining town [[Thornborough, Queensland|Thornborough]] was named after him.<ref>{{cite QPN|45856|Thornborough|accessdate=16 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63384333 |title=NORTHERN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. |newspaper=[[Townsville_Bulletin|Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1885 - 1954)]] |location=Qld. |date=19 June 1951 |accessdate=16 September 2013 |page=7 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
The gold mining town [[Thornborough, Queensland|Thornborough]] was named after him.<ref>{{cite QPN|45856|Thornborough|access-date=16 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63384333 |title=NORTHERN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. |newspaper=[[Townsville Daily Bulletin]] |location=Qld. |date=19 June 1951 |access-date=16 September 2013 |page=7 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1863–1867]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1867–1868|1867–1868]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1868–1870|1868–1870]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1870–1871|1870–1871]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1871–1873|1871–1873]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1873–1878|1873–1878]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1878–1883|1878–1883]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1883–1888|1883–1888]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1893–1896|1893–1896]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1896–1899|1896–1899]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1899–1902|1899–1902]]
* [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1863–1867]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1867–1868|1867–1868]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1868–1870|1868–1870]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1870–1871|1870–1871]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1871–1873|1871–1873]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1873–1878|1873–1878]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1878–1883|1878–1883]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1883–1888|1883–1888]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1893–1896|1893–1896]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1896–1899|1896–1899]]; [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1899–1902|1899–1902]]
[[Members of the Queensland Legislative Council, 1870–1879]]
* [[Members of the Queensland Legislative Council, 1870–1879]]

== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />


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{{s-off}}
{{s-off}}
{{succession box | title=[[Premier of Queensland]] | before=[[Arthur Macalister]] | after=[[John Douglas (Queensland politician)|John Douglas]] | years=1876-1877}}
{{succession box | title=[[Premier of Queensland]] | before=[[Arthur Macalister]] | after=[[John Douglas (Queensland politician)|John Douglas]] | years=1876&ndash;1877}}

{{s-par|au-qld}}
{{s-bef|before= [[Joseph Fleming (politician)|Joseph Fleming]]}}
{{s-ttl |title=Member for [[Electoral district of West Moreton (Queensland)|West Moreton]]|years=1867&ndash;1873|alongside=[[Patrick O'Sullivan (Queensland politician)|Patrick O'Sullivan]], [[Samuel Hodgson]], [[John Ferrett]], [[Joshua Peter Bell]], [[Frederick Forbes]]}}
{{s-non|reason=Abolished}}

{{s-new|seat}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member for [[Electoral district of Fassifern|Fassifern]]|years=1873&ndash;1874}}
{{s-aft|after=[[John Thorn (Queensland politician)|John Thorn]]}}

{{s-bef|before= [[Arthur Macalister]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member for [[Electoral district of Ipswich|Ipswich]]|years=1876&ndash;1878}}
{{s-non|reason=Abolished}}

{{s-bef|before= [[Joshua Peter Bell]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member for [[Electoral district of Northern Downs|Northern Downs]]|years=1879&ndash;1883}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Hugh Muir Nelson]]}}

{{s-bef|before= [[Alfred Midgley]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member for [[Electoral district of Fassifern|Fassifern]]|years=1887&ndash;1888}}
{{s-aft|after=[[William Salkeld (politician)|William Salkeld]]}}

{{s-bef|before= [[William Salkeld (politician)|William Salkeld]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member for [[Electoral district of Fassifern|Fassifern]]|years=1893&ndash;1902}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Thomas de Montmorency Murray-Prior|Thomas Murray-Prior]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}
{{QueenslandPremiers}}


{{Premiers of Queensland}}
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->

| NAME =Thorn, George
{{authority control}}
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =

| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Australian politician
| DATE OF BIRTH =12 October 1838
| PLACE OF BIRTH =[[Ipswich, Queensland|Ipswich]], [[Queensland]], [[Australia]]
| DATE OF DEATH =13 January 1905
| PLACE OF DEATH =[[Ipswich, Queensland|Ipswich]], [[Queensland]], [[Australia]]
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thorn, George}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thorn, George}}
[[Category:1838 births]]
[[Category:1838 births]]
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[[Category:Premiers of Queensland]]
[[Category:Premiers of Queensland]]
[[Category:University of Sydney alumni]]
[[Category:University of Sydney alumni]]
[[Category:Colony of New South Wales people]]
[[Category:Colony of Queensland people]]
[[Category:People from Ipswich, Queensland]]
[[Category:People from Ipswich, Queensland]]
[[Category:Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:Members of the Queensland Legislative Council]]
[[Category:Members of the Queensland Legislative Council]]
[[Category:Burials at Ipswich General Cemetery]]
[[Category:19th-century Australian politicians]]
[[Category:Pre-Separation Queensland]]
[[Category:People educated at The King's School, Parramatta]]

Revision as of 23:32, 1 January 2024

For the American physician, see George W. Thorn. For other people, see George Thorn (disambiguation).

The Hon
George Thorn
6th Premier of Queensland
In office
5 June 1876 – 8 March 1877
Preceded byArthur Macalister
Succeeded byJohn Douglas
ConstituencyIpswich
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
for West Moreton
In office
2 July 1867 – 18 November 1873
Preceded byJoseph Fleming
Succeeded bySeat Abolished
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
for Fassifern
In office
25 November 1873 – 9 January 1874
Preceded byNew seat
Succeeded byJohn Thorn
In office
4 August 1887 – 10 May 1888
Preceded byAlfred Midgley
Succeeded byWilliam Salkeld
In office
6 May 1893 – 11 March 1902
Preceded byWilliam Salkeld
Succeeded byThomas Murray-Prior
Member of the Queensland Legislative Council
In office
9 January 1874 – 16 June 1876
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
for Ipswich
In office
20 June 1876 – 18 February 1878
Preceded byArthur Macalister
Succeeded bySeat abolished
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
for Northern Downs
In office
17 April 1879 – 7 September 1883
Preceded byJoshua Peter Bell
Succeeded byHugh Muir Nelson
Personal details
Born(1838-10-12)12 October 1838
Sydney, New South Wales,
Australia  Australia
Died15 January 1905(1905-01-15) (aged 66)
Ipswich, Queensland,
Australia  Australia
Resting placeIpswich General Cemetery
SpouseCelia Constance Maude Uniacke
RelationsGeorge Thorn Sr. (father), John Thorn (brother), Henry Thorn (brother), William Thorn (brother)
OccupationGrazier

George Henry Thorn (junior) (12 October 1838 – 15 January 1905) was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly and a Premier of Queensland, Australia.

Early life

George Thorn was born in Sydney, New South Wales, a son of George Thorn (senior) and his wife Jane (née Handcock). His father was one of the founders of the city of Ipswich and a founding Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly representing the seat of West Moreton.

Thorn was schooled at The King's School, Parramatta. He attended the University of Sydney, and was one of the first residents of St Paul's College, University of Sydney and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1858.[1]

His sister Jane Thorn married George Harris, a Member of the Queensland Legislative Council in 1860. The couple lived for 27 years in the now heritage-listed Newstead House in Brisbane, where their parties were the highlight of Brisbane society.[2]

Political life

At the 1867 colonial election, Thorn followed in his father's footsteps by being elected a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly in the seat of West Moreton, which he held until the 1873 election.[3]

Following that, he represented the seat of Fassifern from 25 November 1873 (the 1873 Queensland state election) until he resigned on 9 January 1874 in order to be appointed to the Queensland Legislative Council on 9 January 1874. His brother John Thorn won the resulting by-election in Fassifern on 24 January 1874.[3]

During Thorn's time on the Legislative Council, he was the Government's representative in the Council. He also held the role of Queensland Postmaster-General (9 January 1874 to 8 July 1876).[3]

On 14 June 1876, Arthur Macalister, member for Ipswich, resigned. Although the Legislative Council was a lifetime appointment, Thorn resigned on 16 June 1876 to successfully contest the seat of Ipswich at a by-election on 20 June 1876.

Thorn became Premier of Queensland and Secretary for Public Works and Mines on 5 June 1876. However, he resigned from these roles on 8 March 1877, but remained in the ministry of his successor, John Douglas as Secretary for Public Works from 8 March 1877 to 7 November 1877 and then as Secretary for Public Lands and Mines from 7 November 1877 to 6 February 1878.[3]

On 14 February 1878, Thorn married Celia Constance Maude Uniacke, daughter of Richard Uniacke of Melbourne, at "Ellengowan" on the Darling Downs.[4]

Thorn resigned from the seat of Ipswich on 18 February 1878. John MacFarlane won the resulting by-election on 7 March 1878.[3]

Thorn became Queensland commissioner to the 1878 Paris Exposition. On his return from Europe, on 17 April 1879 by another by-election, he successfully contested the seat of Northern Downs and held it until the 1883 election in September.[3]

On 19 July 1887, Alfred Midgley, the member for Fassifern, resigned. Thorn won the resulting by-election on 4 August 1887. He held the seat until the 1888 election.[3]

On 6 May 1893 (the 1893 Queensland state election), Thorn was elected again in Fassifern. He held the seat until 11 March 1902 when he was defeated in the 1902 election by Thomas de Montmorency Murray-Prior. He had no further involvement in politics after that.[3]

Later life

On 15 January 1905, George Thorn died from heart failure at his home at Booval, Queensland.[5][6] He was buried in the Anglican section of Ipswich General Cemetery.[7]

Legacy

The gold mining town Thornborough was named after him.[8][9]

See also

References

  1. ^ Serle, Percival (1949). "Thorn, George". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Sydney: Angus & Robertson.
  2. ^ "History and Virtual Tour". Historic Newstead House on the Brisbane River. The Trustees of Newstead House. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Part 2.15 – Alphabetical Register of Members of the Legislative Assembly 1860–2017 and the Legislative Council 1860–1922" (PDF). Queensland Parliamentary Record 2015–2017: The 55th Parliament. Queensland Parliament. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ "Family Notices". The Brisbane Courier. National Library of Australia. 19 February 1878. p. 2. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  5. ^ "Thorn, George (Jnr)". Re-Member Database. Queensland Parliament. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  6. ^ "Death of the Hon. George Thorn". Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser. National Library of Australia. 17 January 1905. p. 9. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  7. ^ Hall, Kerry. "Ipswich General Anglican "B" Section". Australian Cemeteries. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  8. ^ "Thornborough (entry 45856)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  9. ^ "NORTHERN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS". Townsville Daily Bulletin. Qld.: National Library of Australia. 19 June 1951. p. 7. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
Political offices
Preceded by Premier of Queensland
1876–1877 		Succeeded by
Parliament of Queensland
Preceded by Member for West Moreton
1867–1873
Served alongside: Patrick O'Sullivan, Samuel Hodgson, John Ferrett, Joshua Peter Bell, Frederick Forbes 		Abolished
New seat Member for Fassifern
1873–1874 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member for Ipswich
1876–1878 		Abolished
Preceded by Member for Northern Downs
1879–1883 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member for Fassifern
1887–1888 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member for Fassifern
1893–1902 		Succeeded by
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