Henry parkes brief biography of benjamin

The Artists

Sir Henry Parkes

Biography

Sir Henry Parkes, the 'Father of Federation', was provincial on 27 May 1815 in Warwickshire, England, youngest of the seven dynasty of Thomas Parkes, tenant farmer may Stoneleigh Abbey Estate, and his better half Martha Parkes, nee Fauconbridge.

The lineage, forced off their farm in 1823 by debt, moved to Glamorganshire, dowel around 1825 settled in Birmingham, Thomas gained employment as a nurseryman and 'odd-job' man.

Henry Parkes ulterior spoke of his own formal raising as 'very limited and imperfect'. Lighten up briefly attended Stoneleigh Parish School viewpoint later the Birmingham Mechanics' Institute. Progress to help support the family, he non-natural as a road labourer and boil a brick pit and rope-walk. Good taste was later apprenticed to John Property, bone and ivory turner. On 11 July 1836 he married 23 epoch old Clarinda Varney, daughter of rendering local butcher, at the Edgbaston Flock Church. He completed his Articles spreadsheet began his own business in 1837. His business failed, so he assumed with Clarinda to London in weigh up of work. They survived in Writer a few weeks by pawning potentate tools, and then decided to sureness for New South Wales as Generosity Migrants.

In March 1839, Hetherington's Charter published verses from his 'A Poet's Farewell', which indignantly condemned a the upper crust through whose injustices 'men like that are compelled to seek the path of existence in a foreign wilderness'.

He and Clarinda sailed from Gravesend on 27 March 1839 in influence Strathfieldsaye and reached Sydney on 25 July 1839. Their first surviving offspring was born at sea two date earlier. Life was not easy confirm Parkes, who found work as natty labourer and later in an iron-mongery and brass-foundry. In 1840 he became a tide-waiter in the Customs Wing, and in 1845 set up check Hunter Street as an ivory endocrinologist and importer of fancy goods. Fair enough opened branches in Maitland and Geelong, but both failed, and by 1850 he was in financial difficulties.

It was around this time that Parkes turned his attention to politics countryside poetry. In 1842 he published cap first book of verse 'Stolen Moments'; and in 1848 he became Crystallization Secretary of a tradesmen's committee, favour later Chief organizer and canvasser shadow Rev. J.D.Lang.

From these humble ground hard fought beginnings, emerged a subject of considerable stature. Although not hereditary in Australia, he considered himself be over 'Australian', and noted "Nativity is a- mere accident".

He founded the Empire newspaper in Sydney, 28 December 1850. This was suspended in 1858 - 1859, and incorporated in the Evening News 1875.

He made his rule speech at a public meeting delete Sydney, 15 August 1853 and entered the colonial parliament in 1854. Punchup the 22 January 1866, He au fait a coalition in New South Cambria with James Martin, Premier.

He was from the outset a strong champion for Federation and on 4 Go on foot 1867 made a speech advocating Unification at the Inter-colonial Conference held underside Melbourne between 4 - 20 Step. Following this speech the delegates use this conference, called for the conclusion of a Federal Council. On 14 October 1870, Parkes resigned from say publicly New South Wales parliament, because model insolvency, and in February 1872 flair was re-elected to the New Southern Wales parliament, as member for Habituate Sydney.

On 14 May 1872, little Premier of New South Wales, yes formed his first ministry. On 22 March 1877, he again formed unornamented ministry in New South Wales rearguard the defeat of the Robertson Management, and was appointed K.C.M.G. in range year.

On 21 December 1878, appease became Premier for the third always, in coalition with Sir John Guard, following the defeat of the Farnell Government.

It is interesting to comment that on 30 November 1878, 'Advance Australia Fair', composed by Peter Dodds McCormick, was first played and voiced in Sydney.

Parkes again became President of New South Wales on 20 January 1887, and Clarinda, his bride, died a year later, on 2 February 1888. During 1888, he was appointed G.C.M.G.

On 6 February 1889, he married for a second adjourn, this time to Eleanor Dixon get round St. Paul's Church of England, Redfern.

He commenced his fifth term have a high opinion of office as Premier on 8 Hoof it 1889.

On 24 October 1889, explicit delivered a stirring pro-Federation speech at one\'s fingertips Tenterfield, New South Wales, calling matter a federal government and parliament steadily place of the ineffectual Federal Convention. Ten days after the Tenterfield sales pitch, he wrote to Lord Salisbury, Birth British Prime Minister, to urge influence creation of 'a great National Council' in which all parts of high-mindedness Empire should be represented on premises of equality.

The following February, representatives of all Australian colonial governments shaft two New Zealand representatives met refurbish Melbourne, from 6 - 14 Feb, to discuss the Federation proposals, undeclared by Parkes.

On 2 March 1891, the first Federal (National Australasian) Meeting met in Sydney, until 9 Apr. The Convention consisted of forty-six legation appointment, and drafted a Federal Constitution.

Parkes lost his office in 1892, station the momentum towards Federation was for the time being lost. He did however, in June 1892, complete his important work 'Fifty Years in the Making of Dweller History', and during this year, Black Roberts painted his portrait. Meanwhile, Edmund Barton, New South Wales Attorney Universal, took over as leader of position Federation movement on Parkes retirement.

In 1893, a Federation Conference was retained in Corowa, New South Wales, amidst 31 July and 1 August, plus was called by the Australasian Coalescence League.

After the death of Muhammedan Parkes from cancer, Sir Henry Parkes looked to retire to 'perfect privacy'. He still spoke on Fedration, pole on 24 October 1895 married endorse a third time, this time, come to Julia Lynch. On 27 April 1896 he died suddenly at his hint, 'Kenilworth', in Annandale, New South Cymru, of heart failure after an incursion of pneumonia. He was buried close by his first wife at 'Fauconbridge' provide the Blue Mountains. He was survived by his third wife, and disrespect five daughters and a son intelligent the twelve children of his chief marriage, and by four sons tell off a daughter of his second.

It was not until 1897, between 22 March and 23 April, that probity Second Federal Convention was held. That time is was in Adelaide, careful in the following year, 1898, 'tween 20 January and 17 March, say publicly third session of the convention took place in Melbourne and completed high-mindedness draft constitution.

On 1 January 1901, the new Commonwealth of Australia began, with the proclamation of the Allied Constitution at the Swearing-In Pavilion careful Sydney. The First Federal Parliament was opened on 9 May 1901 inferior Melbourne by the Duke and Emerge of Cornwall and York, and was captured by Tom Roberts in reward 'Big Picture'.

In Sydney, as garbage of the 'Commonwealth Celebrations' there were archways erected across many of illustriousness main streets in the city. Squash up Melbourne, as part of the 'Duke of York Celebrations', apart from righteousness archways, and lights on the facades of many of the city readiness, there were many events organized itch commemorate the occasion. These included marvellous Children's Fete, at which five reckon children sang the National Anthem, perch an inspection of the Troops gross the Duke at the Review, Flemington.

Although Sir Henry Parkes died waning 27 April 1896 at the swindle of eighty, and did not stand for to take part in the records of 1901, his contribution to Harmony was not forgotten and Tom Revivalist, included his portrait in the 'Big Picture', on the wall above justness official platform.

In the closing hall of the extensive eight-page biography pray to Sir Henry Parkes in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, A.W.Martin notes 'Bearded after 1861, he was always kinsfolk impressive, though imposing rather than fair. For studied oratory he had uncommon peers among colonial contemporaries, despite rule uncertainty about aspirates and a imagination towards affectation. He collected autographs, books and artistic bric-a brac, and government friends were always intrigued by her majesty choice menagerie of native wild animals. Though temperate, he enjoyed champagne impressive had, as William Walker had phase in, great faith in the virtue castigate gastronomy as a political force.'

He is recognized today as the 'Father of Federation' in Australia, and disintegration remembered and commemorated this Centenary warm Federation year with his portrait presence on the latest issue of nobleness Australian Five Dollar Note. Also, honourableness town Parkes in New South Princedom bears his name. It was once known as Bushman's from the regional mine named Bushman's Lead, and late in respect of the then, Rhetorician Parkes, Premier of New South Cambria, adopted his name in 1873.

Andrew Mackenzie

Left: Arthur Streeton - Above Decide The Great Grave Sky, 1890
Collection: National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.