| Robert Reid | |
|---|---|
| Senator for Victoria | |
| In office 21 January 1903 – 31 December 1903 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 October 1842 Fife, Scotland |
| Died | 12 April 1904 (aged 61) |
| Nationality | Scottish Australian |
| Political party | Free Trade Party |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Robert Reid (18 October 1842 – 12 April 1904) was a Scottish-born Australian politician. Born in Fife, he migrated to Australia, arriving Hobson's Bay on the Ralph Waller from Liverpool, 7 April 1855, the ship having struck an iceberg near the Island of Desolation. He worked in the retail trade before becoming a businessman. In 1892 he was elected to the Victorian Legislative Council as a Free Trader, becoming Minister for Defence and Minister for Health. He lost his ministerial positions in 1894, but was re-created Minister for Health and also Minister for Public Instruction in 1902. On 21 January 1903, he was appointed to the Australian Senate for Victoria to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Senator Sir Frederick Sargood. He did not contest the 1903 election, and died in 1904.[1]