George Thorn
George Thorn | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 6th Premier of Queensland | |
| In office 5 June 1876 – 8 March 1877 | |
| Preceded by | Arthur Macalister |
| Succeeded by | John Douglas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 November 1840 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia  |
| Died | 13 January 1905 Ipswich, Queensland, Australia |
| Spouse | Celia Constance Maude Uniacke |
George Henry Thorn (junior) (12 October 1838 – 13 January 1905) was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly and a Premier of Queensland, Australia.
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 and a founding Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly representing the seat of West Moreton.
George Thorn (junior) was schooled at The King's School, Parramatta. He attended the 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
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 West Moreton, which he held through a number of elections until 18 November 1873 (the 1873 Queensland state 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 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).[3]
On 14 June 1876, Arthur Macalister, member for Ipswich, resigned. Although the Legislative Council was a lifetime appointment, George Thorn resigned on 16 June 1876 to successfully contest the seat of 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 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, George 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 7 September 1883 (the 1883 Queensland state election).[3]
On 19 July 1887, Alfred Midgley, the member for 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).[3]
On 6 May 1893 (the 1893 Queensland state election), George Thorn was elected again in Fassifern. He held the seat until 11 March 1902 (the 1902 Queensland state election), after which he retired from political life.[3]
Legacy
The gold mining town Thornborough was named after him.[5][6]
See also
- Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1863–1867
- Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1867–1868
- Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1868–1870
- Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1870–1871
- Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1871–1873
- Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1873–1878
- Members of the Queensland Legislative Council, 1870–1879
- Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1878–1883
- Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1883–1888
- Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1893–1896
- Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1896–1899
- Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1899–1902
References
- ^ Serle, Percival (1949). "Thorn, George". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Sydney: Angus & Robertson.
- ^ "History and Virtual Tour". Historic Newstead House on the Brisbane River. The Trustees of Newstead House. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Alphabetical Register of Members of the Legislative Assembly 1860-2012 and the Legislative Council 1860-1922" (PDF). Queensland Parliament. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
- ^ "Family Notices". The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933). Qld.: National Library of Australia. 19 February 1878. p. 2. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
- ^ "Thornborough (entry 45856)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
- ^ "NORTHERN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS". Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1885 - 1954). Qld.: National Library of Australia. 19 June 1951. p. 7. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
