James Agnew
Encyclopedia
Sir James Willson Agnew, KCMG
(2 October 1815 – 8 November 1901) was an Irish
-born Australia
n politician
, who was Premier of Tasmania from 1886 to 1887.
, Ireland
and educated at London
, Paris
and Glasgow
; he qualified for the medical profession, M.R.C.S.(London) in 1838, and M.D.(Glasgow) 1839. Soon after he went to Australia, arriving at Sydney
before the end of 1839. He decided to settle in the west of Port Phillip District (now the Western district of Victoria), but not enjoying the life, went to Melbourne, where he was offered the position of private secretary to John Franklin, then governor of Van Diemen's Land
(now Tasmania
). He sailed for Hobart
in 1841 and found that the position had been filled. He was, however, soon appointed assistant surgeon at the Cascades Peninsula. Later in 1841 he was appointed assistant surgeon to the Saltwater River probation station, located on the Tasman Peninsula
In 1845 he transferred to the General Hospital at Hobart, later becoming colonial surgeon.
This was followed by private practice in Hobart for 36 years. He had joined the Tasmanian Society, afterwards the Royal Society of Tasmania
, in 1841, and in that year contributed an article to its journal on the "Poison of the Tasmanian Snakes". In March 1851 he was elected a member of the council and remained on the council until his death some 50 years later. He had abandoned practising medicine when he took up political life full-time in 1877. He was honorary secretary from 1861 to 1893, and for several years a vice-president.
in 1877. He was a member of the Philip Fysh
'Fysh-Giblin' ministry in that year, without portfolio, and was also in the William Giblin
ministry which succeeded it, and in the second Giblin ministry from October 1879 to February 1881.
Agnew was then absent from the colony on a long visit to Europe. After his return he was elected to the Tasmanian Legislative Council
in 1884, and on 8 March 1886 he took over from Adye Douglas
and formed a ministry in which he was premier and chief secretary. This lasted a little more than 12 months and he resigned his post and political life on 29 March 1887. His last years were spent at Hobart where he died on 8 November 1901.
Agnew was much respected in Hobart all his life. He was a useful politician, and his general interests, especially in the cultural life of the community, made him one of the best-known men in Tasmania. He was a founder and fostered the Royal Society of Tasmania and gave many volumes to its library, he was much interested in the museum and botanical gardens and the public library, of which he was chairman. He was also president of the Tasmanian Racing Club and of the Tasmanian Club.
His service to Tasmania came from his involvement with scientific studies and encouragement of art.
Agnew joined the council of the Royal Society of Tasmania in 1851 and was honorary secretary in 1861–81 & 84–94; was chairman of the boards that administered the public library and museum, a member of the council of education and for a short term he was a member of the council of the university. His legacy also includes famous catchphrases such as "boider" "goody proctor" and an all time favourite "bopsey".
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(2 October 1815 – 8 November 1901) was an Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
-born Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, who was Premier of Tasmania from 1886 to 1887.
Early life
Agnew was born in BallyclareBallyclare
Ballyclare is a small town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 8,770 people in the 2001 Census...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and educated at London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
; he qualified for the medical profession, M.R.C.S.(London) in 1838, and M.D.(Glasgow) 1839. Soon after he went to Australia, arriving at Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
before the end of 1839. He decided to settle in the west of Port Phillip District (now the Western district of Victoria), but not enjoying the life, went to Melbourne, where he was offered the position of private secretary to John Franklin, then governor of Van Diemen's Land
Van Diemen's Land
Van Diemen's Land was the original name used by most Europeans for the island of Tasmania, now part of Australia. The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to land on the shores of Tasmania...
(now Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
). He sailed for Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
in 1841 and found that the position had been filled. He was, however, soon appointed assistant surgeon at the Cascades Peninsula. Later in 1841 he was appointed assistant surgeon to the Saltwater River probation station, located on the Tasman Peninsula
Tasman Peninsula
Tasman Peninsula is located around by road south-east of Hobart, at the south east corner of Tasmania, Australia.-Description:The Tasman Peninsula lies south and west of Forestier Peninsula, to which it is connected by an isthmus called Eaglehawk Neck...
In 1845 he transferred to the General Hospital at Hobart, later becoming colonial surgeon.
This was followed by private practice in Hobart for 36 years. He had joined the Tasmanian Society, afterwards the Royal Society of Tasmania
Royal Society of Tasmania
The Royal Society of Tasmania was formed in 1844.The RST was the first Royal Society outside the United Kingdom. It started as the "Tasmanian Society" formed by Sir John Franklin assisted by Ronald Campbell Gunn....
, in 1841, and in that year contributed an article to its journal on the "Poison of the Tasmanian Snakes". In March 1851 he was elected a member of the council and remained on the council until his death some 50 years later. He had abandoned practising medicine when he took up political life full-time in 1877. He was honorary secretary from 1861 to 1893, and for several years a vice-president.
Political career
Agnew retired from his medical profession and was elected by Hobart to the Tasmanian Legislative CouncilTasmanian Legislative Council
The Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of Tasmania in Australia. The other is the House of Assembly. It sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Hobart...
in 1877. He was a member of the Philip Fysh
Philip Fysh
Sir Philip Oakley Fysh, KCMG was an Australian politician, Premier of Tasmania and a member of the first federal ministry....
'Fysh-Giblin' ministry in that year, without portfolio, and was also in the William Giblin
William Giblin
William Robert Giblin was Premier of Tasmania from 5 March 1878 until 20 December 1878 and from 1879 until 1884.-Early life:...
ministry which succeeded it, and in the second Giblin ministry from October 1879 to February 1881.
Agnew was then absent from the colony on a long visit to Europe. After his return he was elected to the Tasmanian Legislative Council
Tasmanian Legislative Council
The Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of Tasmania in Australia. The other is the House of Assembly. It sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Hobart...
in 1884, and on 8 March 1886 he took over from Adye Douglas
Adye Douglas
Sir Adye Douglas was an Australian lawyer and politician, and first class cricket player, who played one match for Tasmania. He was Premier of Tasmania from 15 August 1884 to 8 March 1886....
and formed a ministry in which he was premier and chief secretary. This lasted a little more than 12 months and he resigned his post and political life on 29 March 1887. His last years were spent at Hobart where he died on 8 November 1901.
Legacy
Agnew was created K.C.M.G. July 1894 formalised in January 1895. He married Louisa Mary Fraser in 1846 who died in 1868; he re-married in 1878 to Blanche Legge. There were several children by the first marriage, of whom only a daughter survived him.Agnew was much respected in Hobart all his life. He was a useful politician, and his general interests, especially in the cultural life of the community, made him one of the best-known men in Tasmania. He was a founder and fostered the Royal Society of Tasmania and gave many volumes to its library, he was much interested in the museum and botanical gardens and the public library, of which he was chairman. He was also president of the Tasmanian Racing Club and of the Tasmanian Club.
His service to Tasmania came from his involvement with scientific studies and encouragement of art.
Agnew joined the council of the Royal Society of Tasmania in 1851 and was honorary secretary in 1861–81 & 84–94; was chairman of the boards that administered the public library and museum, a member of the council of education and for a short term he was a member of the council of the university. His legacy also includes famous catchphrases such as "boider" "goody proctor" and an all time favourite "bopsey".