John Basson Humffray facts for kids

John Basson Humffray (born April 17, 1824 – died March 18, 1891) was an important leader. He worked to improve things for miners in the British colony of Victoria. Later, he became a member of parliament.

John was born in Newtown, Montgomeryshire, Wales. He started training to be a lawyer. He also joined the Chartist movement, which fought for workers' rights. But he stopped his law studies. In 1853, he moved to Victoria, Australia.

John Humffray's Journey to Australia

John Humffray arrived in Melbourne on September 19, 1853. He came on a ship called the "Star of the East." Two months later, he moved to Ballarat. He wanted to try his luck digging for gold.

A Voice for Miners

On November 11, 1854, over 10,000 gold diggers met at Bakery Hill. John Humffray was chosen as the secretary of the Ballarat Reform League. He believed that the miners' problems came from an unfair political system. He thought these problems could be fixed peacefully.

John was part of a group of three people. They met with the Governor of Victoria, Sir Charles Hotham. This meeting happened in Melbourne on November 27, 1854. The miners asked for changes to their taxes and political rights. But their requests were turned down.

After a very harsh search for mining licenses, the Ballarat Reform League met again. This was on November 30, 1854. The miners decided they could no longer rely on peaceful talks. They chose Peter Lalor as their leader. They decided to build the Eureka Stockade to fight back.

The Eureka Rebellion

John Humffray did not join the rebellion. He tried to keep the peace before the battle. The fight at the Eureka Stockade happened on December 3, 1854.

After the rebellion, John spoke up for the miners. He represented them at a special meeting. This meeting looked into why the miners were unhappy. He also strongly defended the 13 miners. They were charged with a serious crime for their part in the rebellion.

In 1855, John helped organize Ballarat's first eisteddfod. This was a festival of music and poetry. He also edited a local newspaper called the Ballarat Leader. He was the first president of the Ballarat Mechanics' Institute.

Becoming a Politician

In 1855, miners were given the right to vote. They could also have their own representatives in government. John Humffray was elected without anyone running against him. He became a member of the Victorian Legislative Council for Ballaarat (1855-1856).

Later, he was a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly. He represented North Grant (1856-1859). Then he represented Ballarat East (1859-1871). He served as the Minister for Mines from November 1860 to November 1861. He was also the head of a special group looking into mining in 1862.

His Lasting Mark

Humffray Street, a main road in Ballarat, is named after him. It was named before 1858.

John Humffray was a member of the Anglican church. He was buried in the Ballaarat Old Cemetery. His grave is near those who died in the Eureka rebellion. The people of Ballarat put up a headstone for him.