William Irvine (Australian politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir William Irvine
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| Chief Justice of Victoria | |
| In office 9 April 1918 – 30 September 1935 |
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| Preceded by | John Madden |
| Succeeded by | Frederick Mann |
| Attorney-General of Australia | |
| In office 24 June 1913 – 17 September 1914 |
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| Prime Minister | Joseph Cook |
| Preceded by | Billy Hughes |
| Succeeded by | Billy Hughes |
| Premier of Victoria | |
| In office 10 June 1902 – 16 February 1904 |
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| Governor | George Clarke Reginald Talbot |
| Preceded by | Alexander Peacock |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Bent |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Division of Flinders |
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| In office 12 December 1906 – 5 April 1918 |
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| Preceded by | James Gibb |
| Succeeded by | Stanley Bruce |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 July 1858 Newry, County Down, Ireland |
| Died | 20 August 1943 (aged 85) Toorak, Victoria, Australia |
| Political party | Liberal (federal) |
| Spouse |
Agnes Wanliss
(m. 1891) |
| Relations | John Mitchel (uncle) |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Dublin University of Melbourne. |
| Profession | Barrister |
Sir William Hill Irvine (born July 6, 1858 – died August 20, 1943) was an important Australian politician and judge. He held several big jobs, including being the Premier of Victoria from 1902 to 1904. He also served as the top legal advisor for Australia, called the Attorney-General of Australia, from 1913 to 1914. Later, he became the main judge of Victoria's highest court, the Chief Justice of Victoria, from 1918 to 1935.
Irvine was born in County Down, Ireland. He studied at Trinity College, Dublin and the University of Melbourne after moving to Australia in 1879. He became a barrister (a type of lawyer). He was first elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly in 1894.
He became the Attorney-General of Victoria in 1899. In 1902, he took over from Alexander Peacock to become the Premier of Victoria. He made some democratic changes but faced strong opposition from workers' groups. This was especially true after he stopped a railway strike in 1903. He resigned as Premier in 1904.
In 1906, Irvine was elected to the Australian Parliament for the area of Flinders. He was the Attorney-General in Joseph Cook's government from 1913 to 1914. During World War I, he strongly supported conscription, which meant forcing people to join the army. He was a key campaigner in the 1916 vote on this issue.
Irvine left federal parliament in 1918 to become the Chief Justice of Victoria. He worked on the court until 1935. He also served as Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria, acting as the governor of Victoria for almost three years during the Great Depression.
Contents
Early Life and Education
William Irvine was born on July 6, 1858, in a place called Dromalane, near Newry in County Down, Ireland. He was one of seven children. His father, Hill Irvine, was a farmer and owned a linen mill. His uncle, John Mitchel, was a well-known Irish nationalist.
Irvine grew up in a Presbyterian family. He went to school at the Royal School, Armagh and then to Trinity College, Dublin. He earned his first degree in 1879. He planned to become a barrister, but his father passed away, and he faced money problems. Because of this, he decided to move to Australia instead.
After arriving in Australia, Irvine settled in Melbourne. He continued his studies at the University of Melbourne. He earned more degrees in law and became a lawyer in 1884. At first, it was hard for him to find enough work as a lawyer. He earned extra money by being an examiner at the law school.
Political Career in Victoria
In 1894, Irvine was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly as a Liberal politician. He served as the Attorney-General from 1899 to 1900 and again from 1902 to 1903. He was also the Solicitor-General in 1903.
In 1902, with support from the National Citizens' Reform League, he became the Premier of Victoria and Treasurer. He took over from Alexander Peacock. Irvine stayed in office until 1904, when Thomas Bent became Premier.
Federal Politics and Key Roles
In 1906, Irvine was elected to the Australian House of Representatives for the area of Flinders. He first ran as an independent, but later joined Alfred Deakin's Commonwealth Liberal Party in 1908.
He became the Attorney-General of Australia in Joseph Cook's Liberal government, serving from 1913 to 1914. He is the only person who has been both a state premier and the federal Attorney-General. Some people thought he might become the Prime Minister of Australia. However, his strict approach and strong opinions made him unpopular with many other politicians. In Parliament, he was sometimes called "Iceberg Irvine."
Judicial Career
Knowing that he probably wouldn't go further in politics, Irvine accepted a new role. He was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria. This is the highest court in the state of Victoria. He held this important position from 1918 until 1935.
Personal Life and Achievements
In 1891, William Irvine married Agnes Somerville Wanliss. Her father, Thomas Wanliss, was also a politician. William and Agnes had three children together.
Irvine passed away in Toorak on August 20, 1943, when he was 85 years old. He had been suffering from an illness that made it hard for him to move and speak. He was given a state funeral, which is a special ceremony for important public figures.
He received special honors during his life. He was made a Knight Commander of the KCMG in 1914 and a Knight Grand Cross of the GCMG in 1936.
Irvine loved driving cars. He was one of the first members of the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV). He was also its patron (a supporter or protector) from 1938 until his death in 1943. In 1932, a painting of Irvine by Ernest Buckmaster won the Archibald Prize. This is Australia's most famous portrait painting award.
See also
- List of Judges of the Supreme Court of Victoria
