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Former Member Details

Mr William Maddison ALDERSON (1814 - 1884)

Member Photo
Date of Birth: 07/05/1814
Place of Birth: Newcastle-on-Tyne, England
Date of Death: 21/04/1884
Place of Death: Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
Parliamentary Service
Position Start End Period Notes
Member of the NSW Legislative Council 22 Aug 1882 21 Apr 1884 1 year 8 months Life appointment under the Constitution Act: Date of Writ of Summons 21 August 1882
Member of the NSW Legislative Council 29 Dec 1881 19 Aug 1882 7 months 22 days Life appointment under the Constitution Act: Date of Writ of Summons 29 December 1881 - Did not take his seat; resigned.
Political Party Activity
Community Activity
Associated with Sydney Mechanics School of Art and charitable institutions.
Qualifications, occupations and interests
Manufacturer of leather goods and worked 16 years in leather trades in Britain. After migrating to Australia, he established a tannery in Sydney in 1844, moving it to Surry Hills in the mid 1850's. He later established tannery and fellmongering works in Brisbane. Extended his activities into other leather trades, winning medals at London, Paris, and Australia (New South Wales and Victorian) exhibitions in 1851-69. In 1861, his Sydney establishment employed around 160 and had a turnover of £60,000. Introduced power machinery in the 1860's and by 1870 his tannery , boot and harness works employed over 250 and produced 120,00 pairs of boots and shoes a year. Became a leading protectionist who was associated with the Protection League of Australia in 1857 and with the NSW Protectionist Society. Was a strong opponent of trade union demands and factory legislation. His estate was sworn for probate at over £36,000.
Military Service
Honours Received
Membership of other Parliaments & Offices Held
Local Government Activity
Personal
Son of William Henry Alderson and Barbara Maddison. Married Isabel Milford in 1835 and had issue, thirteen children. Migrated to New South Wales in 1842.
Additional Information
Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 3