Edward Deas Thomson
Australian politician (1800–1879)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sir Edward Deas Thomson KCMG, CB (1 June 1800 – 16 July 1879[1]) was a Scotsman who became an administrator and politician in Australia, and was chancellor of the University of Sydney.
Sir Edward Deas Thomson | |
|---|---|
Sir Edward Deas Thomson, ca. 1865 | |
| Colonial Secretary of New South Wales | |
| In office 2 January 1837 – 5 June 1856 | |
| Monarchs | |
| Governor | |
| Preceded by | Alexander Macleay |
| Succeeded by | Stuart Donaldson |
| Chancellor of the University of Sydney | |
| In office 1865–1878 | |
| Preceded by | Francis Merewether |
| Succeeded by | William Montagu Manning |
| Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney | |
| In office 1863–1865 | |
| Preceded by | Francis Merewether |
| Succeeded by | John Plunkett |
| Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales | |
| In office 3 January 1837 – 16 July 1879 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 June 1800 |
| Died | 16 July 1879 (aged 79) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Education | Harrow School |
| Occupation | Government administrator, politician, university administrator |
Awards | |
Background and early career
Thomson was born at Edinburgh, Scotland. His tutor was Joseph Lowe.[2]
In Australia
Thomson also served as President of the Australian Club in Sydney. During his visit to England he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) and in 1874 he was created a Knight Commander of St Michael and St George (KCMG)[3]
Personal life
Thomson married Anne Marie Bourke,[3] the second daughter of Governor Sir Richard Bourke,[1] who survived him with two sons and five daughters. His wife, a prominent activist, was one of the founding committee members for women and infant refuge Sydney Founding Institute,[4] now The Infants' Home Child and Family Services. One daughter, Elizabeth, was mother of Edward Grigg, 1st Baron Altrincham;[5] another, Susan Emmeline, married the politician-pastoralist William John Macleay,[6] while another Eglantine Julia, married the politician William Campbell.[7] His portrait is in the great hall of the University of Sydney.[8] Thomson died on 16 July 1879 in Sydney.[1][9]
