Robert Caldwell (Australian politician)
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Robert Caldwell (4 August 1843 – 2 November 1909),[1] occasionally referred to as "poet Caldwell", was a South Australian politician. He was a member of the South Australian House of Assembly from 1884 to 1902, representing the electorates of Yorke Peninsula (1884-1890) and Onkaparinga (1890-1902).
Caldwell was born in Stevenston, Ayrshire, Scotland and immigrated to South Australia with his family in 1849 when he was just six years old. The family was among the earliest settlers at Alma Plains, and also lived at Mount Templeton, north of Whitwarta. After leaving school, he farmed on Yorke's Peninsula and at Woodside.[2] before entering politics, and was Clerk of the Onkaparinga District Court.[3]
Caldwell was a Methodist lay preacher and popular lecturer in the temperance cause,[4] and a member of the Temperance Alliance throughout his life.
He wrote many articles and poems on topical themes for The South Australian Register and, especially, The Mount Barker Courier.
Politics
Caldwell was elected to the South Australian House of Assembly as the member for Yorke Peninsula in 1884, transferring to Onkaparinga in 1890. He served until 1902.[3]
He contested the single statewide seven-member Division of South Australia at the 1901 federal election as a Protectionist Party candidate but finished ninth.[5]
Whilst in parliament Caldwell was briefly secretary to the Opposition, and was instrumental in securing the appointment of several Commissions to enquire into issues related to the agricultural industry.[2]
Caldwell's conservative political views grew stronger to the extent he lost touch with the majority of the people and resulted in his unsuccessful attempt to secure a seat in the Federal Senate.[2]
