Alfred Deakin: key people

Alfred Deakin was the Prime Minister of Australia from 1903 to 1904, from 1905 to 1908 and from 1909 to 1910.

Allen, George

First head of the Commonwealth Treasury 1901–16, Allen had been an accountant in the Victorian Treasury.

Asquith, (Lord) Herbert Henry

Britain's Liberal Prime Minister 1908–16, during the Deakin, Fisher, Cook and Hughes governments.

Balfour, (Lord) Arthur James

Britain's Conservative Prime Minister 1902–05 during the Barton, Deakin, Watson and Reid governments, and Britain's Foreign Secretary 1916–19 during the Hughes government.

Barton, (Sir) Edmund

Protectionist Member of the House of Representatives 1901–03 (Hunter). Barton was Prime Minister and Minister for External Affairs 1901–03, and a judge of the High Court 1903–20.

Barton, (Lady) Jane

Jane Barton was prime ministerial wife 1901–03. She was afterwards foundation president of the Queens Club in Sydney; and had been a vice-president of the Sydney Women's Federation League in 1899.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 930.

Bavin, (Sir) Thomas

Among the young federationists in Edmund Barton's circle, Bavin was appointed Prime Minister's private secretary in 1901 and served both Barton and Alfred Deakin. In 1904 when Chris Watson became Prime Minister, Bavin resumed his Sydney practice as a barrister, coaching students including William Hughes. Bavin was Deakin's co-correspondent to the London Morning Post 1907–11. Bavin later entered state politics and was premier of New South Wales 1927–30.

Best, (Sir) Robert Wallace

Protectionist Senator for Victoria 1901–10, then Member of the House of Representatives (Kooyong) for the Deakin Liberal Party 1910–17 and the Nationalist Party 1917–22. Best was Vice-President of the Executive Council (20 February 1907 – 13 November 1908) and Minister for Trade and Customs in the third Deakin government (2 June 1909 – 29 April 1910). Best was a partner in the legal firm to which Harold Holt was articled in 1931. A strong supporter of the Australian Women's National League, Best was a frequent speaker at meetings and events in his electorate.

Braddon, (Sir) Edward Nicholas Coventry

Free Trade Member of the House of Representatives 1901–03 (Tasmania) and 1903–04 (Wilmot). Deputy Leader of the Opposition until his death in 1904, Braddon had been premier of Tasmania 1894–99 and a delegate to the 1897–98 Federation convention.

Brookes, (Sir) Herbert

Herbert Brookes served on the Commonwealth Board of Trade (1918–28) and the Tariff Board (1922–28). He was Commissioner-General to the United States (1929–30), and vice-chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) (1932–40). His wife, Ivy Brookes, was the eldest daughter of Pattie and Alfred Deakin. She was active in Deakin's Liberal Party and, from 1912 to 1940, was on the executive of the National Council of Women (Victoria).

Brookes, (Lady) Ivy

Eldest daughter of Pattie and Alfred Deakin, active in Deakin's Liberal Party and from 1912 to 1940 was on the executive of the National Council of Women (Victoria), married to Herbert Brookes.

Campbell-Bannerman, (Sir) Henry

Britain's Liberal Prime Minister 1905–08, during the second Deakin government.

Carrodus, Joseph Aloysius

Head of the Department of the Interior 1935–50, Carrodus was first appointed to the new Commonwealth public service as a clerk in the Department of External Affairs on 11 August 1904. He served as private secretary to several Ministers for External Affairs including Deakin. After Army service in the 1914–18 war, Carrodus was head of the Papua New Guinea and Norfolk Island branch of the Department of Home and Territories in the 1920s.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 42.

Carruthers, (Sir) Joseph Hector

Premier of New South Wales 1904–07. Before Federation Carruthers had been a member of Reid's Free Trade ministry. He was a strong opponent of federal Protectionist policies and clashed with Deakin on this issue and on the transfer of land for the Federal Capital Territory. Carruthers was also aligned with Reid in introducing Empire Day in 1905.

Chaffey, George

With his brother William, an irrigation pioneer in California when Deakin met them in the 1870s, formed a company to develop the irrigation of the Murray River for Victoria in 1886.

Chaffey, William

With his brother George an irrigation pioneer in California when Deakin met them in the 1870s; formed a company to develop the irrigation of the Murray River for Victoria in 1886. William Chaffey remained in the Riverina, established the Mildara winery and developed dried fruit production in the region.

Chapman, (Sir) Austin

Member of the House of Representatives (Eden–Monaro) for the Protectionist Party 1901–10, Deakin Liberal Party 1910–17, and Nationalist Party 1917–26. Minister for Defence in the first Deakin government (24 September 1903 – 27 April 1904), Postmaster-General (5 July 1905 – 30 July 1907) and Minister for Trade and Customs (30 July 1907 – 13 November 1908) in the second Deakin government. In the Bruce–Page government he was Minister for Trade and Customs and for Health (9 February 1923 – 26 May 1924). Chapman had been a strong federationist as a member of the New South Wales parliament (Braidwood) 1891–1901.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 709.

Clark, Andrew Inglis

Tasmanian parliamentarian and judge, a delegate to the 1890 Federation Conference in Melbourne and a key author of the original draft of Australia's Constitution in 1891.

Cockerill, George

Melbourne Age journalist covering the federation campaign of 1898–1901, and Federal parliament in 1901–10. Cockerill became chief of staff on the Age and chief leader-writer 1914–26, from 1926 to 1928 was editor-in-chief of the Sydney Daily Telegraph and from 1929 to 1939 leader-writer for the Melbourne Herald. In 1928–29, Cockerill was employed by the Commonwealth Development and Migration Commission as chief of publicity.

Cook, (Sir) Joseph

Member of the House of Representatives (Parramatta) for the Free Trade Party 1901–06, the Anti-Socialist Party 1906–10, the Deakin Liberal Party 1910–17 and the Nationalist Party 1917–21. Cook was Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (1913–14), Minister for Defence in the Deakin government (1909–10), Minister for the Navy (1917–20) and Treasurer (1920–21) in the Hughes government, and High Commissioner in London 1921–27.

Deakin, Alfred

Member of the House of Representatives (Ballaarat) for the Protectionist Party 1901–10 and the Liberal Party 1910–13. Deakin was the first Attorney-General, in the Barton government (1901–03), Prime Minister three times (1903–04, 1905–08, 1909–10), and Minister for External Affairs in his own governments in 1903–04 and 1905–08. As a Victorian parliamentarian and leading federationist, Deakin had been a delegate to the 1890 Federation Conference and to both federation Conventions (1891 and 1897–98) and a member of the Constitution Bill deputation in London in 1900.

Deakin, Elizabeth Martha Anne (Pattie)

Prime ministerial wife 1903–04, 1905–08, and 1909–10, Pattie Deakin was active in the Deakin Liberal Party and in numerous Victorian organisations including the Lyceum Club and the National Council of Women.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 932.

Dibbs, (Sir) George Richard

New South Wales parliamentarian 1874–1895 and Premier 1885, 1886–87, 1889 and 1891–94. Originally a free trader, Dibbs became a protectionist in 1887, and thus a political rival of George Reid. Although he was a delegate to the 1891 Federation Convention, Dibbs was not an enthusiastic supporter of federation, promoting Sydney's right to be the federal capital and arguing for a strong Senate.

Dickson, (Sir) James Robert

Dickson was the first Commonwealth Minister for Defence from 1 January 1901 until his sudden death 10 days later. He had been Queensland Premier 1898–99 and a member of the Constitution Bill deputation in London in 1900.

Dobson, Emily

Emily Dobson was a founder of the National Council of Women in Tasmania and frequently led the Australian delegations to conferences of the International Council of Women 1899–1920. Her husband Henry Dobson was Tasmanian Premier 1892–94.

Downer, (Sir) John William

Protectionist Senator for South Australia 1901–03, Downer then returned to the state parliament. He had been South Australian Premier 1885–87 and in 1892, and was one of the 3 members of the Constitutional drafting committee at the 1897–98 federation Convention.

Drake, James George

Protectionist Senator for Queensland 1901–06 and Postmaster-General 1901–03 then briefly Minister for Defence in the last month of the Barton government. Drake was Attorney-General in the first Deakin government (24 September 1903 – 27 April 1904) and Vice-President of the Executive Council in the Reid government (18 August 1904 – 5 July 1905).

Dudley, (Lord) William Humble Ward

Governor-General of Australia 9 September 1908 – 31 July 1911, during the Deakin and Fisher governments.

Edward VII, King

Eldest son of Queen Victoria. With Queen Alexandra, British monarch 1901–10 and Australia's head of state during the Barton, Deakin, Watson, Reid and Fisher governments.

Eggleston, (Sir) Frederic William

Australian Minister to China in 1941 and Australian Minister to the United States 1944–46. He was a member of the Australian delegation at the Versailles peace conference that established the League of Nations in 1919 and the San Francisco peace conference establishing the United Nations in 1945. In 1933, he became the first chairman of the Commonwealth Grants Commission and from 1946–49 was adviser in the United States to the Department of External Affairs. With his wife Louise he had been a 'Deakinite' Liberal, and later a member of the Liberal Party founded by Robert Menzies.

Eggleston, (Lady) Louise Augusta

A 'Deakinite' active in the People's Liberal Party in the 1910s and a 'diplomatic wife' on her husband Frederic Eggleston's postings to China and the United States in the 1940s.

Ewing, (Sir) Thomas Thomson

Protectionist Member of the House of Representatives 1901–10 (Richmond), Vice-President of the Executive Council (5 July 1905 – 13 November 1908), Minister for Home Affairs (12 October 1906 – 24 January 1907) and Minister for Defence (24 January 1907 – 13 November 1908) in the second Deakin government.

Fisher, Andrew

Labor Party Member of the House of Representatives 1901–15 (Wide Bay), Andrew Fisher was Minister for Trade and Customs in the Watson government in 1904, Prime Minister three times (1908–09, 1910–13, 1914–15), and Treasurer in each of his own 3 governments. Fisher was High Commissioner in London 1916–21.

Forrest, (Sir) John

Member of the House of Representatives (Swan) for the Protectionist Party 1901–06, West Australia Party 1906–10, Deakin Liberal Party 1910–17, and the Nationalist Party 1917–18. Postmaster-General (1–10 January 1901) and Minister for Defence (10 January 1901 – 24 September 1903) in the Barton government, Minister for Home Affairs in the Deakin government (24 September 1903 – 27 April 1904), Treasurer (5 July 1905 – 30 July 1907) in the second Deakin government, Treasurer in the third Deakin government (2 June 1909 – 29 April 1910), and Treasurer (24 June 1913 – 17 September 1914) in the Cook government, Treasurer (17 February 1917–27 March 1918) in the Hughes government. Forrest had been Premier of Western Australia 1890–1901.

Foxton, Justin Fox Greenlaw

Anti-Socialist Party Member of the House of Representatives 1906–10 (Brisbane) and minister without portfolio in the third Deakin government (2 June 1909 – 29 April 1910). Foxton had been a Queensland parliamentarian 1883–1904.

Fuller, (Sir) George Warburton

Member of the House of Representatives (Illawarra) for the Free Trade Party 1901–06, the Anti-Socialist Party 1906–10, and the Deakin Liberal Party 1910–13. Minister for Home Affairs in the third Deakin government (2 June 1909 – 29 April 1910). Fuller had been a NSW parliamentarian 1889–94 and Free Trader and he returned to state politics in 1915, serving as Premier from 1922 to 1925.

Fysh, (Sir) Philip Oakley

Free Trade Member of the House of Representatives 1901–03 (Tasmania), Member of the House of Representatives (Denistone) for the Protectionist Party 1903–06 and the Anti-Socialist Party 1906–10. Minister without portfolio (March 1901 – 24 September 1903) in the Barton government, and Deakin’s Postmaster-General (24 September 1903 – 27 April 1904). Fysh had been Tasmanian Premier 1887–92 and as Tasmania’s Agent-General in London, a member of the Constitution Bill deputation in 1900.

Garran, (Sir) Robert Randolph

Appointed first head of the Attorney-General’s department and parliamentary draftsman on 1 January 1901, Garran remained in this post until 5 February 1932. He served the governments of ten prime ministers, Barton, Deakin, Watson, Reid, Fisher, Cook, Hughes, Bruce, Scullin and Lyons. As a young Sydney federationist in Barton’s circle, Garran had been secretary to the 1897–98 Constitutional drafting committee.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 396.

George V, King

Grandson of Queen Victoria, son of King Edward VII, as Duke of York opened first Commonwealth parliament in 1901, with Queen Mary British monarch 1910–36.

Glynn, Patrick McMahon

Member of the House of Representatives 1901–03 (South Australia) and 1903–19 (Angas). Glynn was a member of the Free Trade Party 1901–06, the Anti-Socialist Party 1906–10, the Deakin Liberal Party 1910–17 and the Nationalist Party 1917–19. Attorney-General in the third Deakin government (2 June 1909 – 29 April 1910), Minister for External Affairs in the Cook government (24 June 1913 – 17 September 1914), and Minister for Home and Territories in the Hughes government (17 February 1917–3 February 1920). As a South Australian parliamentarian and federationist, Glynn was an influential delegate at the 1897–98 federation convention.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 3.

Goldstein, Vida

Victorian suffragist, political reformer, and pacifist, Goldstein was among the few women to contest federal elections before 1920. She stood unsuccessfully for a Senate seat in 1903 and in the four elections 1910-17. Goldstein also worked for the British and United States suffrage organisations. She marched with Margaret Fisher in the major suffrage demonstration in London in 1911. The Hughes government ordered surveillance of her activities against conscription in 1915-17 and in 1919, with Cecilia John, she was Australian delegate to the women’s peace conference held in Zurich simultaneously with the Versailles Conference.

Griffith, (Sir) Samuel Walker

First Chief Justice of the High Court 1903–19, Griffith had attended the 1890 Federation Conference and was a major figure in drafting the original Constitution at the 1891 federation Convention. He was Premier of Queensland 1883–88, and Queensland Chief Justice 1893–1903.

Groom, (Sir) Littleton Ernest

Member of the House of Representatives (Darling Downs) 1901–29 and 1931–36, Groom was Minister for Home Affairs and then Attorney-General (12 October 1906 – 13 November 1908) replacing Isaac Isaacs in the second Deakin government, Minister for External Affairs in the third Deakin government (2 June 1909 – 29 April 1910), and Minister for Trade and Customs in the Cook government (24 June 1913 – 17 September 1914). In the Hughes government he served as honorary Minister (17 February 1917 – 16 November 1917), Vice-President of the Executive Council (16 November 1917–27 March 1918), Minister for Works and Railways (27 March 1918 – 21 December 1921), and Attorney-General (21 December 1921 – 9 February 1923). In the Bruce–Page government he was Attorney-General (9 February 1923 – 18 December 1925), Minister for Trade and Customs and Minister for Health (29 May – 13 June 1924). From 1926 to 1929, he was Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Higgins, Henry Bournes

Protectionist Member of the House of Representatives 1901–06 (North Melbourne), and Attorney-General in the Watson Labor government (1904). In 1906 Higgins was appointed a judge of the High Court, with the special duty of presiding over the Conciliation and Arbitration Court. As a federationist and member of the Victorian parliament, Higgins had been a delegate to the 1897–98 federation convention.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 180.

Hopetoun (Lord), John Adrian Louis Hope

Governor-General of Australia from 1 January 1901, Hopetoun left Australia on 17 July 1902 and was succeeded by the acting Governor-General, Lord Tennyson on 9 January 1903.

Hughes, William Morris

Member of the House of Representatives 1901–17 (West Sydney), 1917–22 (Bendigo), 1922–49 (North Sydney) and 1949–52 (Bradfield). Hughes was a member of the Labor Party 1901–17, the Nationalist Party 1917–29, an ‘Independent Nationalist’ 1929–31, United Australia Party 1931–44, Liberal Party 1944–52. Prime Minister (1915–23), Hughes still holds the record as Australia’s longest serving parliamentarian. He was a Minister in the governments of Watson (1904), Fisher (1908–09, 1910–13 and 1914–15), Lyons (1932–39), Page (Attorney-General, Minister for Industry and Minister for External Affairs (7 April 1939 – 26 April 1939), Menzies (Attorney-General 26 April 1939 – 29 August 1941, Minister for Industry 26 April 1939 – 28 October 1940, Minister for the Navy 28 October 1940 – 29 August 1941), and Fadden (continuing as Attorney-General and Minister for the Navy 29 August 1941 – 7 October 1941). During the term of his own government he also served as Attorney-General (27 October 1915 – 21 December 1921), Minister for Trade and Customs (29 September 1916 – 14 November 1916), Minister for External Affairs (21 December 1921 – 9 February 1923). As a New South Wales parliamentarian 1894–1901 Hughes was a founding member of the Labor Party in New South Wales. He became a founding member of the Nationalist Party in 1917, the United Australia Party in 1931, and the Liberal Party in 1945.

Hume-Cook, James Newton Haxton

Protectionist Member of the House of Representatives 1901–10 (Bourke) and minister without portfolio (28 January – 13 November 1908) in the second Deakin government. Hume Cook was a firm Deakinite and a member of the Australian Natives Association, and had been a Victorian parliamentarian and federationist. From the 1914–18 war, he was loyal friend of William Hughes, and the prominent secretary of the Australian Industries Protection League from 1922 to 1941.

Hunt, Arthur Atlee

Founding head of two Commonwealth departments, External Affairs (1901–1916) and Home and Territories (1916–1921). Hunt was the first Public Service arbitrator, serving from 1921 until he retired in 1930. He had been a member of Edmund Barton’s circle of federationists in Sydney in the 1890s.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 716.

Isaacs, (Sir) Isaac Alfred

The first Australian-born Governor-General, serving from 22 January 1931 until his retirement on 23 January 1936, Isaacs had been a Protectionist Member of the House of Representatives 1901–06 (Indi), and Attorney-General (5 July 1905 – 12 October 1906) in the second Deakin government. He was a judge of the High Court for 25 years, serving as Chief Justice 1930–31. Isaacs had also been a Victorian parliamentarian from 1892–1901 and a delegate to the 1897–98 federation convention.

Jebb, (Sir) Richard

British author of Studies in Colonial Nationalism (1905) who became a friend of Alfred Deakin and fellow writer for the London Morning Post newspaper.

Keating, John Henry

Protectionist/Deakin Liberal Party Senator for Tasmania 1901–23, minister without portfolio (5 July 1905 – 12 October 1906), Minister for Home Affairs (24 January 1907 – 13 November 1908) and Vice-President of the Executive Council (12 October 1906 – 20 February 1907) in Deakin’s second government. At 28, he was the youngest member of the first parliament. Keating had been an active Tasmanian federationist and was a member of the Australian Natives Association.

Kingston, Charles Cameron

Protectionist Member of the House of Representatives 1901–03 (South Australia) and 1903–08 (Adelaide). Kingston was the first Minister for Trade and Customs in the Barton government from 1 January 1901, resigning in July 1903 after a Cabinet disagreement over his pioneering Conciliation and Arbitration Bill. Kingston had been Premier of South Australia 1893–99, a delegate to both federation Conventions (1891 and 1897–98), and a member of the Constitution Bill deputation in London in 1900.

Kirwan, (Sir) John Waters

Free Trade Member of the House of Representatives 1901–03 (Kalgoorlie), and friend of Alfred Deakin. In 1904, he was the first to be given the title Honourable as a former federal parliamentarian. A newspaper editor, Kirwan had been active in the Western Australian goldfields campaign for federation and organised the 1899 petition to Queen Victoria. He was a member of the Western Australian parliament 1908–46.

Lyne, (Sir) William John

Protectionist Member of the House of Representatives 1901–10 and Independent member 1910–13 (Hume). First Minister for Home Affairs in the Barton government (1901–03), Deakin’s Minister for Trade and Customs (24 September 1903 – 27 April 1904 and 5–30 July 1905) and Treasurer (30 July 1907 – 13 November 1908) in Deakin’s second government. Lyne had been Premier of New South Wales 1899–1901.

Mauger, Samuel

Protectionist and Deakinite Liberal Member of the House of Representatives 1901–06 (Melbourne Ports) and 1906–10 (Maribyrnong), honorary minister (12 October 1906 – 30 July 1907) and Postmaster-General (30 July 1907 – 13 November 1908) in the second Deakin government.

McGregor, Gregor

Labor Senator for South Australia 1901–1914, Vice-President of the Executive Council in the Watson government (27 April – 17 August 1904), and during the first two terms of Andrew Fisher (13 November 1908 – 2 June 1909 and 29 April 1910 – 24 June 1913). McGregor had been a South Australian Labor parliamentarian 1894–1901.

Millen, Edward Davis

Senator for New South Wales 1901–23, Millen was a member of the Free Trade Party 1901–06, the Anti-Socialist Party 1906–13, the Deakin Liberal Party 1913–17, and the Nationalist Party 1917–23. He was Vice-President of the Executive Council in the third Deakin government (2 June 1909 – 29 April 1910), Minister for Defence in the Cook government (24 June 1913 – 17 September 1914), Vice-President of the Executive Council (17 February – 16 November 1917), and Minister for Repatriation (28 September 1917 – 9 February 1923) in the Hughes government.

Miller, David

First head of the Department of Home Affairs in November 1901, and administrator of the Federal Capital Territory (ACT) from 1912 until his retirement in 1917. Colonel Miller had been commander of the New South Wales Corps 1900–01 in the Second South African (Boer) War.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 278.

Murdoch, (Sir) Keith Arthur

Newspaper proprietor and founder of the Australian Journalists Association (1910), the cable service Australian Associated Press (1935), and Australian Newsprint Mills (1938). David Syme had given Murdoch a job on the Age newspaper in 1904, and in 1908 Alfred Deakin, then Prime Minister, provided him with letters of introduction in London. As Commonwealth parliamentary reporter for the Age 1910–12, he became a friend of Andrew Fisher and William Hughes. Political correspondent for the Sydney Sun newspaper from 1912, he was transferred to London in 1915 and secretly reported to Fisher from Gallipoli on the mismanagement of the Anzac campaign. He was the only Australian journalist at the peace conference at Versailles in 1919, and returned to Melbourne as chief editor of the Herald newspaper in 1920. With financial support from Clive Baillieu and others, by 1935 he had acquired newspapers in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, and 11 commercial radio stations. In 1940, Robert Menzies appointed him wartime director-general of information, a short-lived post. He retired in 1949 and died in 1952, leaving his media holdings to his son Keith Rupert Murdoch.

Northcote (Lord), Henry Stafford

Governor-General of Australia 21 January 1904 – 9 September 1908 during the Deakin, Watson and Reid governments.

O’Connor, Richard Edward

Protectionist Senator for New South Wales 1901–03 and first Vice-President of the Executive Council (1 January 1901 – 24 September 1903), O’Connor was on the bench of the first High Court from 1903 until his death in 1912. A federalist and lifelong friend of Edmund Barton, O’Connor had been one of the 3 lawyers comprising the committee drafting the Constitution Bill at the 1897–98 Federation Convention.

Parkes, (Sir) Henry

Perhaps the most prominent figure in New South Wales politics in the 50 years from the granting of responsible government until his death in 1896, Parkes was a leading federalist and delegate to the 1890 Conference and the 1891 Convention.

Playford, (Sir) Thomas

Protectionist Senator for South Australia 1901–06, Vice-President of the Executive Council in the first Deakin government (24 September 1903 – 27 April 1904) and Minister for Defence (5 July 1905 – 24 January 1907) in the second Deakin government. As a South Australian parliamentarian Playford had been an influential federationist and was a delegate to the 1890 federation conference and the 1891 Federation Convention.

Quick, (Sir) John

Protectionist/Liberal Member of the House of Representatives 1901–13 (Bendigo), and Postmaster-General in Deakin’s third government (2 June 1909 – 29 April 1910). In 1922, Quick was appointed deputy president of the Conciliation and Arbitration Court, serving until his retirement in 1930. As a Victorian parliamentarian and prominent federalist, Quick had been a delegate to the 1897–98 convention.

Reid, Sir George Houstoun

Free Trade/Anti-Socialist Party Member of the House of Representatives 1901–10 (East Sydney) and Prime Minister and Minister for External Affairs 1904–05, Reid was also Leader of the Opposition 1901–04 and 1905–08. From 1910 to 1916, he was Australian High Commissioner in London, and from 1916 until his death in 1918 a member of the British House of Commons. Reid had also served in the New South Wales parliament 1880–84 and 1885–1901, and was Premier in 1894–99.

Rivett, (Lady) Stella

A research chemist, the second daughter of Alfred and Pattie Deakin, her husband was David Rivett.

Rivett, (Sir) Albert Cherbury David

Founding chief executive officer of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (later CSIRO) 1927–46 and chairman 1946–49.

Roberts, Thomas (Tom) William

A friend of Alfred Deakin, painted the official portrait of the opening of the Commonwealth parliament on 9 May 1901.

Roosevelt, Theodore

Republican Party President of the United States of America 1901–09.

Scott, Rose

Political reformer and founding member of the Womanhood Suffrage League of New South Wales in 1891, the National Council of Women (NSW) in 1896, and the Women’s Political Educational League in 1902. Scott was a prominent anti-conscriptionist.

Scullin, James Henry

Member of the House of Representatives 1910–13 and 1922–49 (Yarra). Prime Minister, Minister for External Affairs and Minister for Industry 1929–32, Treasurer 1930–31.

Shepherd, Malcolm Lindsay

First head of the Department of the Prime Minister 1911–21; official secretary to the High Commissioner in London 1921–27; and head of the Department of Defence 1927–37. Shepherd had been recruited to the new Commonwealth Postmaster-General’s Department in 1901 from the New South Wales department he had joined as a typist in 1890. In 1904, he became private secretary to Alfred Deakin, then to prime ministers Chris Watson, George Reid, and Andrew Fisher. He became a friend of William Hughes, and while at the High Commission was Australian representative on the Pacific Cable Board and the Imperial War Graves Commission.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 25.

Swinburne, George Nichols

An engineer at the Melbourne Hydraulic Power Company, Swinburne was Victoria’s Minister for Water Supply and Agriculture in 1904–08, and a member of the Interstate Committee from 1913.

Syme, David

Newspaper proprietor and editor of the Melbourne Age newspaper 1860–1901, David Syme was a mentor and close friend of Alfred Deakin. His intervention was crucial in resolving the ‘Hopetoun blunder’ and ensuring Edmund Barton became first Prime Minister. His son Geoffrey Syme succeeded him as editor from 1908 to 1942.

Symon, (Sir) Josiah Henry

Free Trade/Anti-Socialist Party Senator for South Australia 1901–13, and Attorney-General in the Reid government (18 August 1904 – 5 July 1905). Symon had been a South Australian parliamentarian and federalist, and delegate to the 1897–98 federal convention. In 1930, as president of the Adelaide Branch of the Royal Empire Society, he was a leading opponent of JH Scullin’s appointment of Sir Isaac Isaacs as Governor-General.

Tennyson, (Lord) Hallam

Acting Governor-General of Australia 17 July 1902 – 9 January 1903 and Governor-General 9 January 1903 – 21 January 1904 during the Barton and first Deakin governments.

Turner, (Sir) George

Protectionist Member of the House of Representatives 1901–06 (Balaclava), and the first Commonwealth Treasurer (1 January 1901 – 5 July 1905) in the Barton, Deakin, and Reid governments. As Premier of Victoria 1893–1900 Turner had been a key federalist.

Ware, Fabian

Editor of the London Morning Post newspaper 1905–11.

Watson, John Christian (Chris)

Labor Party Member of the House of Representatives 1901–06 (Bland) and 1906–10 (South Sydney), Watson was first Labor Prime Minister, and Treasurer, for four months in 1904.

White, Vera

Vera White, youngest daughter of Alfred and Pattie Deakin, married airman and politician Thomas White, and lived in London 1951–56 when they were at Australia's High Commission.

White, (Sir) Thomas Walter

Nationalist/United Australia Party/Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1929–51 (Balaclava), Minister for Trade and Customs (14 January 1933 – 8 November 1938) in the Lyons government, Minister for Air and for Civil Aviation (19 December 1949 – 11 May 1951) in the second Menzies government, and High Commissioner in London 1951–56. White was the husband of Vera, youngest daughter of Alfred and Pattie Deakin.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 145.

Wise, Bernhard Ringrose

New South Wales parliamentarian, federationist and delegate to 1897–98 Convention, and political reformer.