Edward Deas Thomson

Sir Edward Deas Thomson, c. 1865.

Sir Edward Deas Thomson KCMG CB, (1 June 1800 – 16 July 1879)[1] was an Australian administrator, politician and chancellor of the University of Sydney.

Life

Thomson was born at Edinburgh, Scotland. His father, Sir John Deas Thomson, was accountant-general to the navy[1] and married Rebecca, daughter of John Freer. Their son was educated at Edinburgh high school, and at Harrow in England. He afterwards spent two years in study at Caen in Normandy, France. His tutor there, from September 1815, was Joseph Lowe.[2]

Thomson then began working with his father who at that time was reorganizing the system of keeping accounts in the navy. In 1826 Thomson visited the United States and Canada, and on his return in 1827 accepted the position of registrar of the orphan chambers at Demarara. Before leaving England he was able to arrange to exchange this position for that of clerk to the New South Wales legislative and executive councils.

In Australia

Thomson arrived in Sydney in December 1828[1] and proved to be a valuable officer. In January 1837 he became Colonial Secretary[1] at a salary of £1500 a year and held this position for nearly 20 years. He carried out his duties with much tact, and during the stormy period of the governorship of Sir George Gipps it has been said of him that he was personally so respected that members of the council found it almost painful to oppose him. His experience was particularly useful during the passing of the constitution bill, and he was sent with William Wentworth to England to see the bill through the Imperial parliament. In 1854 he was given a public testimonial, half the amount subscribed being expended on a piece of plate and the remainder given to Sydney University to found a scholarship in his name. Thomson was asked by the governor, Sir William Denison, to form the first government under the new constitution but was unable to do so. He entered the New South Wales Legislative Council and was vice-president of the executive council in the Parker ministry,[1] and on 19 August 1857 moved for a select committee on the question of Australian federation. The committee reported in favour of a federal assembly being established but the Charles Cowper ministry had come into power in the meantime, and the question was shelved.

An older Sir Edward Deas Thomson.

Thomson continued to be a member of the legislative council until his death, but his health had suffered from his heavy work as colonial secretary and he no longer attempted to take a leading part in its proceedings. He had been granted a substantial pension on his retirement in 1856 and he now had time to devote himself to other interests. He had been an original member of the senate of the University of Sydney when it was founded in 1850, he became vice-chancellor in 1862, and was chancellor from 1865 until 1878. He took an interest in sporting matters and for some years was president of the Australian Jockey Club. He also served as President of the Australian Club in Sydney. During his visit to England he had been made a C.B. and he was created K.C.M.G. in 1874.[3] Thomson died on 16 July 1879.[1]

Family

Thomson married the second daughter of Governor Sir Richard Bourke,[1] who survived him with two sons and five daughters. His portrait is in the great hall of the University of Sydney. His daughter, Susan Emmeline, married the politician-pastoralist William John Macleay.[4][5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mennell, Philip (1892). "Wikisource link to Thomson, Hon. Sir Edward Deas". The Dictionary of Australasian Biography. London: Hutchinson & Co. Wikisource
  2. ↑ Stephen Glynn Foster (1978). Colonial Improver: Edward Deas Thompson (1800–1879). Melbourne University Press. p. 5. ISBN 0522841368.
  3. ↑ Osborne, M. E. "Thomson, Sir Edward Deas (1800–1879)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: Australian National University. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  4. ↑ Godden, Judith (2006). Lucy Osburn, a lady displaced: Florence Nightingale's envoy to Australia. Sydney: Sydney University Press. p. 285. ISBN 9781920898397.
  5. ↑ Serle, Percival (1949). "Thomson, Edward Deas". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Sydney: Angus and Robertson.
Political offices
Preceded by
Alexander Macleay		 Colonial Secretary of New South Wales
2 January 1837 – 5 June 1856 		Succeeded by
Stuart Donaldson
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