Alexander Stuart (Australian politician)
Encyclopedia
Sir Alexander Stuart KCMG
(21 March 1824 – 16 June 1886) was Premier of New South Wales from 5 January 1883 to 7 October 1885.
, the son of Alexander Stuart and his wife Mary, née McKnight. Stuart was educated at the Edinburgh Academy
and attended the University of Edinburgh
, but did not graduate. On leaving school Stuart worked in merchant's office at Leith
and at Glasgow
. Then Stuart worked as manager of the North of Ireland Linen Mills. In 1845 Stuart worked for the mercantile and banking house Carr Tagore & Co. in Calcutta, India
. Finding that the climate did not suit him, Stuart went to New Zealand
in 1850.
aboard the Scotia. The Victorian
gold discoveries tempted him to try his fortune on the diggings at Ballarat
and Bendigo
, but he was not successful.
Stuart returned to Sydney in 1852 and joined the Bank of New South Wales
as assistant secretary; in 1853 he was assistant inspector. In 1854 Stuart had become secretary and inspector of branches with a salary of £1200. On 10 November 1853 Suart married Christiana Eliza Wood. In 1854 Stuart investigated the embezzlement of funds from the bank's Ballarat
branch by its manager, George D. Lang, son of John Dunmore Lang
, who was convicted and sentenced to five years hard labour as a result. John Dunmore Lang published an attack on Stuart and the bank, The Convicts' Bank; or a Plain Statement of the Case of Alleged Embezzlement, and as a result Lang was charged and convicted of criminal libel and served six months in prison. In 1855 Stuart accepted a partnership in R. Towns
and Company, merchants, and became well-known as a business man in Sydney.
s from 1866 and a member of the standing committee of the Sydney Diocesan Committee and Educational and Book Society. In the 1870s, during a controversy on the education question, Stuart spoke in favour of denominational schools and was asked by Bishop Frederic Barker
to stand for parliament in 1874. The same year Stuart was elected a member of the Legislative Assembly
for East Sydney
on a platform of support for the 1866 Public Schools Act, the 'rapid extension' of railways and aid to municipalities.
On 8 February 1876 Stuart succeeded William Forster as colonial treasurer in the third ministry
led by Sir John Robertson, and held the position until Robertson was defeated in March 1877. Stuart resigned his seat in November 1879 to become agent-general at London
but gave up this appointment in April 1880 in order to fend off bankruptcy without having left Sydney. Stuart was returned for Illawarra
at the general election in 1880 and became leader of the opposition. In 1882 the Parkes-Robertson ministry was defeated and Stuart became Premier from 5 January 1883 to 6 October 1885. Stuart succeeded in passing a land act in 1884 after much opposition, and other acts dealt with the civil service, fire brigades, the university, and licensing.
Stuart was under constant attack in parliament during 1884 over his ownership of mineral lands in the Illawarra
. In October 1884 Stuart had a paralytic stroke and went to Napier, New Zealand
to recuperate at the house of his brother, the Bishop of Waiapu
. It was during his illness that W. B. Dalley
as Acting-Premier offered to send a contingent to the Sudan
. Stuart resigned in October 1885 and was nominated to a seat in the Legislative Council
. In 1886 Stuart was appointed executive commissioner to the Colonial and Indian exhibition at London
, but died there of typhoid, survived by his wife, son and probably one of his three daughters.
Stuart was a man of probity, with a high reputation in financial circles. According to the Sydney Morning Herald
, "He was slow in making up his mind, and there was a want of resolute firmness … but … he had a good deal of the dogged determination that belongs to the Scotch character, and a large capacity for patient endurance … He was very friendly … but he lacked that magnetic power which great leaders have of fascinating their comrades, and of binding them as it were by hooks of steel."
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(21 March 1824 – 16 June 1886) was Premier of New South Wales from 5 January 1883 to 7 October 1885.
Early years
Stuart was born at EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, the son of Alexander Stuart and his wife Mary, née McKnight. Stuart was educated at the Edinburgh Academy
Edinburgh Academy
The Edinburgh Academy is an independent school which was opened in 1824. The original building, in Henderson Row on the northern fringe of the New Town of Edinburgh, Scotland, is now part of the Senior School...
and attended the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, but did not graduate. On leaving school Stuart worked in merchant's office at Leith
Leith
-South Leith v. North Leith:Up until the late 16th century Leith , comprised two separate towns on either side of the river....
and at Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. Then Stuart worked as manager of the North of Ireland Linen Mills. In 1845 Stuart worked for the mercantile and banking house Carr Tagore & Co. in Calcutta, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Finding that the climate did not suit him, Stuart went to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
in 1850.
Australia
On 9 October 1851 Stuart arrived in SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
aboard the Scotia. The Victorian
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
gold discoveries tempted him to try his fortune on the diggings at Ballarat
Ballarat, Victoria
Ballarat is a city in the state of Victoria, Australia, approximately west-north-west of the state capital Melbourne situated on the lower plains of the Great Dividing Range and the Yarrowee River catchment. It is the largest inland centre and third most populous city in the state and the fifth...
and Bendigo
Bendigo, Victoria
Bendigo is a major regional city in the state of Victoria, Australia, located very close to the geographical centre of the state and approximately north west of the state capital Melbourne. It is the second largest inland city and fourth most populous city in the state. The estimated urban...
, but he was not successful.
Stuart returned to Sydney in 1852 and joined the Bank of New South Wales
Westpac
Westpac , is a multinational financial services, one of the Australian "big four" banks and the second-largest bank in New Zealand....
as assistant secretary; in 1853 he was assistant inspector. In 1854 Stuart had become secretary and inspector of branches with a salary of £1200. On 10 November 1853 Suart married Christiana Eliza Wood. In 1854 Stuart investigated the embezzlement of funds from the bank's Ballarat
Ballarat, Victoria
Ballarat is a city in the state of Victoria, Australia, approximately west-north-west of the state capital Melbourne situated on the lower plains of the Great Dividing Range and the Yarrowee River catchment. It is the largest inland centre and third most populous city in the state and the fifth...
branch by its manager, George D. Lang, son of John Dunmore Lang
John Dunmore Lang
John Dunmore Lang , Australian Presbyterian clergyman, writer, politician and activist, was the first prominent advocate of an independent Australian nation and of Australian republicanism.-Background and Family:...
, who was convicted and sentenced to five years hard labour as a result. John Dunmore Lang published an attack on Stuart and the bank, The Convicts' Bank; or a Plain Statement of the Case of Alleged Embezzlement, and as a result Lang was charged and convicted of criminal libel and served six months in prison. In 1855 Stuart accepted a partnership in R. Towns
Robert Towns
Robert Towns was an Australian businessman, pastoralist, and founder of Townsville, Queensland.Towns was born at Longhorsley, Northumberland, England, on 10 November 1794. This is the date usually given, and it agrees with his death notice in the Sydney Morning Herald of 12 April 1873 which stated...
and Company, merchants, and became well-known as a business man in Sydney.
Political career
Stuart was active as a vocal lay member of the Sydney Anglican synodSynod
A synod historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular church, whether its members are meeting or not...
s from 1866 and a member of the standing committee of the Sydney Diocesan Committee and Educational and Book Society. In the 1870s, during a controversy on the education question, Stuart spoke in favour of denominational schools and was asked by Bishop Frederic Barker
Frederic Barker
Frederic Barker was the second Anglican bishop of Sydney.- Early life :Barker was born at Baslow, Derbyshire, England, fifth son of the Rev. John Barker and his wife Jane, née Whyte. He was educated at The King's School, Grantham and Jesus College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1831, M. A....
to stand for parliament in 1874. The same year Stuart was elected a member of the Legislative Assembly
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The other chamber is the Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney...
for East Sydney
Electoral district of East Sydney
East Sydney was an electoral district for the Legislative Assembly in the Australian State of New South Wales created in 1859 from part of the electoral district of Sydney, covering the eastern part of the current Sydney central business district, Woolloomooloo, Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay and...
on a platform of support for the 1866 Public Schools Act, the 'rapid extension' of railways and aid to municipalities.
On 8 February 1876 Stuart succeeded William Forster as colonial treasurer in the third ministry
Robertson ministry (1875–1877)
The Robertson ministry or Third Robertson ministry was the fifteenth ministry of the Colony of New South Wales, and was led by the Premier, the Honourable John Robertson. It was the third of five occasions that Robertson was Premier. Robertson was elected in the first free elections for the New...
led by Sir John Robertson, and held the position until Robertson was defeated in March 1877. Stuart resigned his seat in November 1879 to become agent-general at London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
but gave up this appointment in April 1880 in order to fend off bankruptcy without having left Sydney. Stuart was returned for Illawarra
Electoral district of Illawarra
Illawarra was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It was originally created in 1859, replacing East Camden. It was replaced by Wollongong in 1904 and recreated in 1927. In 1968, it was abolished and partly replaced by Kembla. In 1971,...
at the general election in 1880 and became leader of the opposition. In 1882 the Parkes-Robertson ministry was defeated and Stuart became Premier from 5 January 1883 to 6 October 1885. Stuart succeeded in passing a land act in 1884 after much opposition, and other acts dealt with the civil service, fire brigades, the university, and licensing.
Stuart was under constant attack in parliament during 1884 over his ownership of mineral lands in the Illawarra
Illawarra
Illawarra is a region in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is a coastal region situated immediately south of Sydney and north of the Shoalhaven or South Coast region. It encompasses the cities of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and the town of Kiama. The central region contains Lake...
. In October 1884 Stuart had a paralytic stroke and went to Napier, New Zealand
Napier, New Zealand
Napier is a New Zealand city with a seaport, located in Hawke's Bay on the eastern coast of the North Island. The population of Napier is about About 18 kilometres south of Napier is the inland city of Hastings. These two neighboring cities are often called "The Twin Cities" or "The Bay Cities"...
to recuperate at the house of his brother, the Bishop of Waiapu
Diocese of Waiapu
The Diocese of Waiapu is one of the thirteen dioceses and hui amorangi of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. The Diocese covers the area around the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand, including Tauranga, Taupo, Gisborne, Hastings and Napier. It is named for the...
. It was during his illness that W. B. Dalley
William Bede Dalley
William Bede Dalley was an Australian politician and barrister and the first Australian appointed to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom...
as Acting-Premier offered to send a contingent to the Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
. Stuart resigned in October 1885 and was nominated to a seat in the Legislative Council
New South Wales Legislative Council
The New South Wales Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. The other is the Legislative Assembly. Both sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney. The Assembly is referred to as the lower house and the Council as...
. In 1886 Stuart was appointed executive commissioner to the Colonial and Indian exhibition at London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, but died there of typhoid, survived by his wife, son and probably one of his three daughters.
Stuart was a man of probity, with a high reputation in financial circles. According to the Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Morning Herald is a daily broadsheet newspaper published by Fairfax Media in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1831 as the Sydney Herald, the SMH is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Australia. The newspaper is published six days a week. The newspaper's Sunday counterpart, The...
, "He was slow in making up his mind, and there was a want of resolute firmness … but … he had a good deal of the dogged determination that belongs to the Scotch character, and a large capacity for patient endurance … He was very friendly … but he lacked that magnetic power which great leaders have of fascinating their comrades, and of binding them as it were by hooks of steel."