James Dickson - Definition and Overview

Sir James Robert Dickson (30 November 1832 - 10 January 1901), Australian politician, was Premier of Queensland and a member of the first federal ministry.

Dickson was born in Plymouth, Devonshire, and migrated to Australia in 1854. He settled in Queensland in 1862 and becoming a wealthy businessman. A Protectionist, he was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly from 1873. He was Secretary for Public Works and Mines in 1876, and Colonial Treasurer 1876-79 and 1883-87. He lost his seat in 1888 but was again elected in 1892.

Dickson Secretary for Railways in 1897, Postmaster-General and Home Secretary 1898-99. In 1899 he was briefly Premier. Later in 1899 he became Chief Secretary in Robert Philp government. He was a leading supporter of federation in Queensland and was mainly responsible for winning a "yes" vote in the Queensland referendum on the proposed Constitution of Australia in 1900.

As a result Dickson was appointed Minister of Defence in the first federal ministry under Edmund Barton on 1 January 1901. He was intending to stand for election to the first Federal Parliament, but on 10 January he died suddenly.

See also

• Australian Commonwealth ministries 1901-2004