Sir George Houstoun Reid

Sir George Reid
Portrait by J.H.Chinner

sepia pen and wash; 36.88 x 30.5 cm.
PIC R8960
National Library of Australia
THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF AUSTRALIA'S
FEDERATION GATEWAY


REID, SIR GEORGE HOUSTOUN (1845-1918)

Born in Johnston, Scotland on 25 February 1845

Reid arrived in Melbourne in 1852 and was the Colonial Treasury from 1864-78. He had studied law part-time and was called to the Bar in 1879. In 1880 he entered the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as a member for East Sydney. In 1881 he pulled down the Parkes Government on land law issues.

From 1891-94 he opposed Federation and then as Premier in 1894-99, he supported it. He was appointed Privy Councilor in 1897.

Reid entered the first Federal Parliament as Leader of the Opposition. He became Prime Minister in 1904. He retired from Australian politics in 1908, appointed KCMG in 1909, became Australia's first High Commissioner to England in 1910, and was appointed GCMG in 1911.

His term as High Commissioner ended in 1916 and he became a member of the House of Commons until his death two years later.

He died in London on 12 September 1918

Books of interest

Crisp, L.F. (1990)Federation Fathers. Carlton,Vic: Melbourne University Press.

McMinn, W.G. (1989)George Reid. Carlton,Vic: Melbourne University Press.

Reid, G.H. (1917)My Reminiscences. London ;Melbourne: Cassell.

The National Library holds a selection of George Reid’s papers at MS 7842 and MS 2242.

 

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