Date of Birth: 07/06/1803
Place of Birth: Great Torrington, Devon, England
Date of Death: 23/04/1871
Place of Death: 'Burwood', Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
Parliamentary Service
| Member of the NSW Legislative Council |
01 Sep 1848 |
31 May 1849 |
9 months |
An Elective Member of the first Legislative Council 1843 - 1856 for the District of Port Phillip |
Qualifications, occupations and interests
Medical practitioner (surgeon) practised in London. Migrated to Sydney in 1840. Registered as a medical practitioner in 1842 and moved to Melbourne and became a cordial manufacturer and wine merchant. Between 1847 and 1854 engaged in pastoral pursuits with Francis Murphy, who was to become the first Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Victoria. Retired in 1870 due to ill health.
Honours Received
Knighted in 1857
Membership of other Parliaments & Offices Held
Member of the first Legislative Council of Victoria for the Western District seat of Normandy, Dundas and Follett, 1851 - 1856; the first Speaker of the first Legislative Council of Victoria 1851 - 1856; Member of the Legislative Council of Victoria for the Western Province, 1856 - 1870; first President of the Legislative Council of Victoria, 1856 - 1870.
Local Government Activity
Mayor of Melbourne 1845 - 1846
Personal
Fourth son of the Reverend John Palmer (nephew of Sir Joshua Reynolds) and his wife Jane Johnson. Married Isabella Gunning in 1831 and had no issue. Church of England faith.
Additional Information
Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 5
