Sir Arthur Hodgson KCMG (29 June 1818 – 24 December 1902)[1] was an Australian pioneer and politician.
Hodgson was born in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, England; the second son of the Rev. Edward Hodgson and his third wife Charlotte, daughter of Francis William Pemberton of Bombay, India. Hodgson was educated at Eton 1828-33 and then entered the Royal Navy and was a midshipman 1833-37 on HMS Canopus on the China station. In 1837-38 he studied at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.[2]
Then in 1839 Hodgson went to Australia, arriving in Sydney, and soon leased Cashiobury run in the New England district. Seeking new land, Hodgson became one of the earliset settlers in the Moreton Bay district, now Queensland[1]. In 1856–61 he was general superintendent of the Australian Agricultural Company.
Hodgson represented Clarence and Darling Downs in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1858 and Newcastle in 1859. After the foundation of Queensland, he was elected to its Legislative Assembly representing Warrego. Hodgson was minister for public works in the Mackenzie ministry from September to November 1868 and colonial secretary in the Lilley ministry from January to November 1869.[1] He was acting-premier during the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh.
In 1870 Hodgson returned to England, settled at Clopton House near Stratford-upon-Avon, of which town he became mayor, and took much interest in the Shakespearian memorials there, and also in the volunteer movement. In 1881 he served as High Sheriff of Warwickshire. He represented Queensland at various European exhibitions, and did useful work in helping to develop the Queensland trade in meat and other products. He died at Stratford on 24 December 1902. He married in 1842 Eliza, daughter of Sir James Dowling, who died before him. Hodgson was created C.M.G. in 1878, and K.C.M.G. in 1886 for services in representing Queensland in the exhibitions of Vienna (1873), Paris (1878) and London (1886).[1]
| Parliament of New South Wales | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Clark Irving |
Member for Clarence and Darling Downs 1858 – 1859 |
Succeeded by Abolished |
| Preceded by New seat |
Member for Newcastle 1859 – 1860 |
Succeeded by James Hannell |