Anderson Dawson
| The Honourable Anderson Dawson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 14th Premier of Queensland | |
|
In office 1 December 1899 – 7 December 1899 | |
| Preceded by | James Dickson |
| Succeeded by | Robert Philp |
| Constituency | Charters Towers |
| Minister for Defence | |
|
In office 27 April 1904 – 18 August 1904 | |
| Prime Minister | Chris Watson |
| Preceded by | Austin Chapman |
| Succeeded by | James McCay |
| Australian Senator for Queensland | |
|
In office 30 March 1901 – 31 December 1906 | |
| Leader of the Opposition of Queensland | |
|
In office 12 May 1899 – 1 December 1899 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Glassey |
| Succeeded by | Robert Philp |
|
In office 7 December 1899 – 16 July 1900 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Philp |
| Succeeded by | Billy Browne |
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Charters Towers | |
|
In office 13 May 1893 – 11 June 1901 Serving with John Dunsford | |
| Preceded by | Robert Sayers |
| Succeeded by | John Burrows |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
16 July 1863 Rockhampton, Queensland |
| Died |
20 July 1910 (aged 47) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Resting place | Toowong Cemetery |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Spouse(s) | Caroline Ryan née Quin |
| Occupation | Union organiser, Journalist, Gold miner |
| Religion | Church of England |
Andrew Dawson (16 July 1863 – 20 July 1910), usually known as Anderson Dawson, was an Australian politician, the Premier of Queensland for one week (1–7 December) in 1899. This premiership was not only the first Australian Labor Party government; it was the first parliamentary socialist government anywhere in the world, and it attracted international newspaper coverage.[1]
Early life
Dawson was born on 16 July 1863 at Rockhampton, Queensland, the son of Andrewson Dawson and his wife Jane (née Smith).[2] When he was six his mother died and he was placed in Diamantina orphanage in Brisbane until he was nine, when an uncle took him to Gympie.[3] He began work as a miner at Charters Towers, and later was elected first president of the Miners' Union. He took up journalism and for a time was editor of the local newspaper, The Charters Towers Eagle.[4][5]
Politics
In 1893, Dawson entered politics as a Labor candidate for Charters Towers in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland; he won the seat, and retained it at the 1896 and 1899 elections. When the government of James Dickson resigned on 1 December 1899, Dawson formed a ministry, which was, however, defeated as soon as the house next met. It did however represent the first socialist or Labour government in the world.
Subsequently, at the first Federal election for the Senate (1901), he was returned at the head of the Queensland poll. In April 1904 when Chris Watson formed the first Federal Labor government, Dawson was given the portfolio of Minister for Defence.[4][5]
Initially announcing his intention to retire at the 1906 election, he ultimately decided to contest it, but as the Labor candidates had already been selected he ran as an Independent which split the Labor vote.[4] He lost his seat to the Labor candidate John Burrows.
Later life
Anderson Dawson was admitted to the Brisbane General Hospital on 6 July 1910 and was expected to recover, but died of alcoholism on 20 July 1910.[4][6] He was buried in Toowong Cemetery on 21 July 1910.[7]
Legacy
The Federal electoral division of Dawson is named after him.
References
- ↑ Blainey, Geoffrey (2000). A shorter history of Australia. Milsons Point, N.S.W.: Vintage. p. 263. ISBN 1-74051-033-X.
- ↑ Queensland Registrar-General's Index of Births, 1863/C992
- ↑ Queensland State Archives Item ID268111, Register - admissions No. 510
- 1 2 3 4 Murphy, D. J. (1981). "Dawson, Andrew (1863 - 1910)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: Australian National University. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
- 1 2 Serle, Percival. "Dawson, Anderson (usually known as Anderson Dawson) (1863-1910)". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Project Gutenberg Australia. Archived from the original on 29 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
- ↑ "The Hon. A. Dawson.". Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954). Ipswich (Qld).: National Library of Australia. 21 July 1910. p. 7 Edition: DAILY. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
- ↑ Dawson, Andrew (Anderson) Archived 1 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine. — Brisbane City Council Grave Location Search
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Anderson Dawson. |
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by James Dickson |
Premier of Queensland 1899 |
Succeeded by Robert Philp |
| Preceded by Austin Chapman |
Minister for Defence In The Australian Parliament 1904 |
Succeeded by James Whiteside McCay |
| Preceded by Thomas Glassey |
Leader of the Opposition in Queensland 1899 |
Succeeded by Robert Philp |
| Preceded by Robert Philp |
Leader of the Opposition in Queensland 1899 - 1900 |
Succeeded by Billy Browne |
| Parliament of Queensland | ||
| Preceded by Robert Sayers |
Member for Charters Towers 1893 – 1901 Served alongside: John Dunsford |
Succeeded by John Burrows |
