Robert Travers Atkin
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Robert Travers Atkin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Clermont | |
| In office 1 October 1868 – 29 January 1869 | |
| Preceded by | John Scott |
| Succeeded by | Oscar John De Satge |
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Member for East Moreton | |
| In office 17 February 1870 – 7 March 1872 | |
| Preceded by | Arthur Francis |
| Succeeded by | Samuel Griffith |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 29 November 1841 Fernill, Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland |
| Died | 25 May 1872 (aged 30) |
| Spouse | Mary Elizabeth Ruck |
| Relations | Richard Atkin, Baron Atkin (son) |
| Occupation | Journalist, Newspaper editor, Newspaper proprietor |
Robert Travers Atkin (29 November 1841 – 25 May 1872) was an Irish-born newspaper editor and politician in colonial Queensland, Australia.[1] He was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.
Atkin was born in Fernhill, County Cork, Ireland, the son of William Francis Atkin and his wife Alice Hungerford (née Stewart).[1] In 1864 he married Mary Elizabeth née Ruck (1842–1920) and soon emigrated to Australia intending to take up sheep farming. However, little more than a year into their enterprise Robert was badly injured in a fall from a horse and the couple moved to Brisbane where Atkin became a journalist and politician. He had three sons in Brisbane, but in 1871, Mary took the children back to her own mother's house, "Pantlludw" on the River Dovey in Wales.
Newspaper editor
Atkin became editor of the Brisbane Guardian but resigned over policy disagreements. In partnership with W. C. Belbridge, Atkin started the Queensland Express in August 1868, but the paper lasted less than three years.[2]
Politician
On 1 October 1868, Atkin was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Queensland for the seat of Clermont. He resigned on 29 January 1869, claiming it was the only honourable course of action due to "the treachery, the weakness, and the lust for office" of the leaders of the Queensland Parliament. However, it was suggested that he resigned before his election was voided because his nomination was invalid.[3][4]
On 17 February 1870, Arthur Francis, member for East Moreton, resigned due to insolvency, and a by-election was called. On nomination day, 19 February 1870, there were two candidates: Atkin and Robert Cribb (who had previously represented the electorate from 1863 to 1867). In his nomination speech, Atkin made accusations against Cribb, who replied vigorously defending himself. The somewhat unexpected outcome of this verbal exchange was that Cribb announced he would withdraw his nomination. Cribb said that if Atkin believed he could represent them so well, the best thing they could do would be to let him try, predicting that Atkin would either resign or be asked to resign within six months. Being the only remaining candidate, Atkin was declared elected.[3][5]
Cribb's six-month prediction did not come true. However, Atkin did not complete his term, as he resigned on 7 March 1872 due to serious ill health (pulmonary tuberculosis).[6]
