Benjamin Lee (Australian politician)

In 1864 he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for West Maitland, following a bitter campaign between 3 local men with almost identical policies,^[1][2] notable for personal attacks,^[3][4][5] and fights between supporters at the declaration of the poll.^[6] The Australian Dictionary of Biography described Lee as "normally even-tempered and moderate",^[1] however he was involved in the first physical fight in the Legislative Assembly on 27 February 1868. Allan Macpherson taunted Lee, to which Lee responded by punching Macpherson in the face whilst still in the house and Macpherson horsewhipping Lee after he had been ejected by the serjeant-at-arms.^[1][7] He held the seat at the 1869 election and again at 1872 election,^[8] serving until his resignation in 1874. He did not hold any ministerial office.^[9]

In 1875, he was a local mining warden, and in 1881 a coroner. In 1890 he was a stipendiary magistrate. Lee died at Annandale on 15 July 1917(1917-07-15) (aged 91).^[1]