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Member Details

Mr Alexander THOMSON (1800 - 1866)

Member Photo
Date of Birth: 01/01/1800
Place of Birth: Aberdeen, Scotland
Date of Death: 01/01/1866
Place of Death: Geelong, Victoria, Australia
Parliamentary Service
Position Start End Period Notes
Member of the NSW Legislative Council 01 Jun 1843 31 Mar 1844 10 months An Elective Member of the first Legislative Council 1843 - 1856 for the District of Port Phillip
Political Party Activity
Community Activity
Qualifications, occupations and interests
Medical practitioner; pastoralist. Educated at Aberdeen and London. In 1825 he made the first of several voyages to Australia as surgeon in a convict transport and arrived in Hobart Town in December 1831, and went to Sydney. Applied to Lieutenant Governor Arthur for a land grant which he received in 1833 in spite of changed regulations. Operated a steam ferry service between Hobart and Kangaroo Point in 1832. Sold the business and moved to Launceston after one year. Was appointed medical officer to the colony and became a leader of the early pastoral society. Became an active member of the Geelong community, petitioning for a Presbyterian Church for the area. Director of the Geelong-Melbourne Railway Company, whose line was completed in 1857. Opened the first branch of the Union Bank in the house he rented. Resigned from the Legislative Council from having to attend sittings in Sydney. In March 1844 found himself in financial difficulties through speculation but he recovered and increased his holdings to 150,000 acres. Towards the end of his life he was nearly penniless and had to accept appointment as a medical officer at the Sunbury Boys' Home. When he died on New Years Day in 1866 many mourners, representing most public groups, attended his funeral.
Military Service
Honours Received
Membership of other Parliaments & Offices Held
Local Government Activity
Mayor of Geelong in 1851 and served again in 1855 until 1857.
Personal
Born in 1800 (the exact date of his birth is unknown). Son of Alexander Thomson, shipowner. Married Barbara Dalrymple in Aberdeen on 24 March 1824 and had issue, 1 daughter. Buried in the Old Geelong cemetery.
Additional Information
Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 2