James Farnell
Australian politician (1825–1888)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Squire Farnell (25 June 1825 – 21 August 1888) was an Australian politician and Premier of New South Wales.[1][2]
25 June 1825
James Farnell | |
|---|---|
| |
| 8th Premier of New South Wales | |
| In office 18 December 1877 – 20 December 1878 | |
| Governor | Sir Hercules Robinson |
| Preceded by | John Robertson |
| Succeeded by | Henry Parkes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Squire Farnell 25 June 1825 |
| Died | 21 August 1888 (aged 63) |
| Spouse |
Margaret O'Donnell (m. 1853) |
| Children | Frank Farnell |
Early years
Farnell was born in St Leonards, New South Wales, son of Thomas Charles Farnell, a brewer, and Mary Ann Farnell, daughter of James Squire,[3] an English Romanichal,[4] who arrived on the First Fleet and may have been Australia's first brewer.[5] He was educated at Parramatta.[3] He visited America and New Zealand during the California Gold Rush in 1849.[2]
Political career
In 1860, Farnell won the by-election for the Legislative Assembly seat of St Leonards,[6] but was defeated at the next election for the seat of Central Cumberland.[7] In 1864 he won the seat of Parramatta, which he held for the next 10 years.[8] He was Secretary for Lands between May 1872 and February 1875. He also spent time as Secretary for Mines. He was defeated for 1874 election for Parramatta,[8] but was returned to parliament election for St Leonards held 11 days later, serving until 1882.[6][1]
Premier
Farnell became premier on 18 December 1877 and took office as the first Australian-born Premier, choosing the portfolio of Secretary for Lands.[1] Farnell resigned in October 1878 and was succeeded by the third Parkes ministry.[9]
Subsequent career
Farnell was unsuccessful in his candidacy for Parramatta at the 1882 election,[8] but was returned to parliament at the election for New England held 2 weeks later.[10] From 1882 to 1885, he represented New England. In January 1883, Farnell again became Secretary for Lands. He then became Minister of Justice and Representative of the Government in the Legislative Council in October 1885, having been appointed to the Legislative Council on the same day, but resigned from the ministry 2 days later.[1] In 1887, he resigned from the Legislative Council to successfully contest Redfern as a Free Trade candidate at the election on 5 February and represented that constituency until his death.[1][11]
He died in Petersham. His son Frank Farnell was a member of the Legislative Assembly for Central Cumberland.[2][12]
Honours
Farnell declined a knighthood.[2]
Farnell was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales, installed on 3 December 1877.[3][13]