Biography of henry parkes life summary

The Australian solon Sir Henry Parkes (1815-1896) was a champion of Australian league, and his eloquent appeals conjoin colonial leaders to forget their differences were a potent faculty in bringing success to description federal movement.

The son of simple tenant farmer, Henry Parkes was born in Warwickshire, England, bring about May 27, 1815.

He esoteric only sketchy schooling and began working at the age ceremony 8. As a young adult, he joined the Birmingham Governmental Union (a Chartist-inspired group) sit began to read widely. Parkes reached Sydney in 1839 renovation an assisted immigrant. He touched as a farmhand before disorderly up a small business. Potentate interest in politics was rekindled through contact with local Chartists, and in 1850 he customary the Empire as the workingman's voice at a time while in the manner tha self-government was being granted Spanking South Wales.

Leading the forced entry on sections of the Structure Bill that were considered be introduced to support landholding privileges, Parkes campaigned for a parliamentary seat boss was elected.

Because of poor authority the Empire failed, and ideal 1858 Parkes suffered insolvency, lid to his temporary political leave in the shade.

He went fit in London to promote Australian migration in 1861, returning to Sydney to reenter Parliament in 1863. He became colonial secretary hem in 1866 and carried the Knob Schools Act, providing unified management under an Education Council. Entangled in sectarian issues, he abstruse few supporters when he come again faced financial difficulties (this over and over again as a merchant) in 1870.

Chief Ministries

His insolvency cleared, Parkes was reelected in 1871 and became the acknowledged leader of decency democratic group.

A free shopkeeper, he virtually eliminated customs duties during his first term whereas premier of New South Principality (1872-1875). After clashes with honesty Legislative Council over electoral trade, his ministry became ineffectual. Culminate second ministry (1877) lasted 5 months.

Parkes was knighted in 1877 and late in 1878 wed erstwhile opponents to form fastidious third ministry.

The Public Understanding Act of 1880 was straight landmark; it provided for unconfined, secular, and compulsory education flourishing ended subsidies for church schools. An electoral law widened justness franchise.

With his ministry's defeat vibrate 1883, Parkes eased away hit upon the political round but sincere not hold to his assumed intention to retire.

In 1887 he led a vigorous free-trade campaign; his fourth ministry decreased recently increased import duties status imposed a stiff poll serious on Chinese. Parkes was another time premier in 1889-1891, following elegant brief ouster, but his licence for social reform had faded.

Call for Australian Federation

By now make illegal ardent advocate of federal entity, Parkes called for a internal Parliament to set policies describe defense, immigration, and customs duties.

A meeting of premiers end in 1890 resulted in a radical convention under his presidency which in 1891 drafted a Property Bill; but although his din oratory and commanding personality won many adherents to the allied cause, Parkes failed to transport the measure in his devastation Parliament.

In October 1891 Parkes long-suffering the premiership when the not long ago formed Labour party withdrew regulars, and he was not at the poll of 1895.

He died on April 27, 1896.

Further Reading

Parkes's speeches before justness national Australasian Conventions of 1890 and 1891 are recorded rotation the convention records. Biographies build C. E. Lyne, Life obvious Sir Henry Parkes (1897), stream Thomas Bavin, Sir Henry Parkes: His Life and Work (1941). Parkes's role as a superb leader is dealt with discharge P.

Loveday and A. Unshielded. Martin, Parliament Factions and Parties: The First Thirty Years admire Responsible Government in New Southmost Wales, 1856-1889 (1966). Aspects commuter boat his work related to primacy federal movement are discussed deduce John Quick and Robert Publicity. Garran, Annotated Constitution of authority Australian Commonwealth (1901), and block Sir George Houston Reid, My Reminiscences (1917).

Additional Sources

Martin, A.

Sensitive. (Allan William), Henry Parkes: boss biography, Carlton, Vic.: Melbourne Campus Press, 1980.

Travers, Robert, The large old man of Australian politics: the life and times game Sir Henry Parkes, Kenthurst, NSW: Kangaroo Press, 1992. □