Henry Dobson

Henry Dobson
photograph
neg.4060
National Library of Australia

THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF AUSTRALIA'S
FEDERATION GATEWAY


DOBSON, HENRY (1841-1918)

Lawyer and politician, was born on 24 December 1841 in Hobart, Tasmania. After some time in a merchant's office he commended legal training and was called to the Tasmanian Bar on 30 December 1864.

Elected for Brighton to the House of Assembly in 1891 he was elected as leader of the Opposition. When the Fysh ministry lost government, Dobson became premier on 17 August 1892. His period in office, following the over-spending of previous administrations, was a disastrous one. His policy of mass retrenchment was rejected, and he obtained a dissolution. With the situation unchanged after the election he resigned on 14 April 1894; he held his seat until 1899.

Dobson was a passionate Federalist and was a member of the Federal Council of Australasia from 1893 and represented Tasmania at the 1897-98 convention. Elected to the Senate in 1901 he was temporary chairman of committees in 1904-08 and chairman in 1908-09. After his defeat in 1910 he retired from politics.

 

Home | About this Site | Chronology | Exhibitions | Links | People | Politics | Resources