Austin Chapman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Sir Austin Chapman KCMG
Minister for Health
In office 9 February 1923 – 26 May 1924
Prime Minister	Stanley Bruce
Preceded by	Walter Massy-Greene
Succeeded by	Herbert Pratten
Minister for Trade and Customs
In office 9 February 1923 – 26 May 1924
Prime Minister	Stanley Bruce
Preceded by	Arthur Rodgers
Succeeded by	Herbert Pratten
In office 30 July 1907 – 13 November 1908
Prime Minister	Alfred Deakin
Preceded by	William Lyne
Succeeded by	Frank Tudor
Postmaster-General of Australia
In office 5 July 1905 – 30 July 1907
Prime Minister	Alfred Deakin
Preceded by	Sydney Smith
Succeeded by	Samuel Mauger
Minister for Defence
In office 24 September 1903 – 27 April 1904
Prime Minister	Alfred Deakin
Preceded by	James Drake
Succeeded by	Anderson Dawson
Member of the Australian Parliament for Eden-Monaro
In office 29 March 1901 – 12 January 1926
Preceded by	New seat
Succeeded by	John Perkins
Personal details
Born	Austen Chapman (1864-07-10)10 July 1864 Bong Bong, Colony of New South Wales
Died	12 January 1926(1926-01-12) (aged 61) Sydney, Australia
Political party	Protectionist (1901–1909) Liberal (1909–1917) Nationalist (1917–1926)
Spouse	Catherine O'Brien ​ (m. 1894)​
Relations	Albert Chapman (brother)
Children	4, including John
Occupation	Company director

Sir Austin Chapman (1864–1926) was an important Australian politician. He served in the House of Representatives from 1901 until his death in 1926. He held several key government jobs. These included Minister for Defence, Postmaster-General, Minister for Trade and Customs, and Minister for Health.

Early Life and Work

Austin Chapman was born on July 10, 1864, in Bong Bong, New South Wales. His mother, Monica, was from Ireland. His father, Richard, worked as a wheelwright and owned a pub. Until 1897, his first name was spelled "Austen."

He went to school in Marulan until he was 14. Then, he became an apprentice to a saddler. He worked in Goulburn and Mudgee. By 1885, he was running Chapman's Hotel in Bungendore. This town was near where Canberra would later be built.

In 1887, Chapman moved to Sydney. He became a partner in an auctioneering business. He also owned the Emu Inn on Bathurst Street. Later, he opened the Royal Hotel in Braidwood.

Starting in Politics

New South Wales Parliament

In 1891, Austin Chapman was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. This meant he became a Member of Parliament (MLA) for the area of Braidwood. He strongly supported the idea of federation. This was when the separate Australian colonies joined together to form one country.

Joining the Federal Parliament

Chapman around 1907 or 1908

In 1901, Chapman was elected to the first Australian House of Representatives. He became the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Division of Eden-Monaro. His brother, Albert, took over his old seat in the New South Wales Parliament.

Chapman was part of the Protectionist Party. He held several important roles in the government:

• He was Minister for Defence from 1903 to 1904.
• He became Postmaster-General from 1905 to 1908. This job was about managing mail and communications.
• He also served as Minister for Trade and Customs from 1907 to 1908.

After 1909, he faced some health challenges. He then spent a long time as a regular Member of Parliament. In February 1923, he returned to the government. He became Minister for Trade and Customs and Minister for Health. He resigned in May 1924 due to his health. After this, he was given the title of KCMG.

Choosing Australia's Capital

Austin Chapman played a big part in choosing where Australia's capital city, Canberra, would be. He strongly believed that Dalgety should be the capital. This site was even chosen by law in 1904. He once said he would fight for Dalgety "to the end."

In early 1908, he admitted that Canberra was "the second best site." Later that year, when the final decision was made, Chapman was unwell. Even though he was not there, Dalgety lost to Yass-Canberra by a few votes.

Once Canberra was chosen, Chapman worked hard to develop the site. This site was on the Molonglo River near Queanbeyan. Both Dalgety and Queanbeyan were in his electorate. His efforts helped many of his friends who owned land there. It also boosted trade in Queanbeyan, the closest town to the new capital.

Austin Chapman passed away in Sydney on January 12, 1926. He died from a brain-related illness. He did not get to see the first Parliament House in Canberra open in May 1927. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and two sons. His sons, James Austin Chapman and John Austin Chapman, both became respected soldiers. The Canberra suburb of Chapman is named after him.

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  Austin Chapman