| Thomas Joseph Byrnes | |
|---|---|
| 12th Premier of Queensland | |
| In office 13 April 1898 – 1 October 1898 |
|
| Preceded by | Sir Hugh Nelson |
| Succeeded by | James Dickson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 11, 1860 Spring Hill, Queensland |
| Died | September 27, 1898 (aged 37) Brisbane, Queensland |
| Alma mater | University of Melbourne |
| Profession | Barrister, politician |
Thomas Joseph Byrnes (11 November 1860 – 27 September 1898) was Premier of Queensland from April 1898 until his death, having previously served in several ministerial positions in his parliamentary career.[1]
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Byrnes was born in Spring Hill, Brisbane, Queensland, to Irish immigrants Patrick Byrnes and his wife Anna, née Tighe.[1] Byrnes was educated at Bowen Primary School, then, winning a scholarship where topped the state,[2] he studied at Brisbane Grammar School and then studied arts and law at the University of Melbourne, graduating with honours in both. In 1882-83 Byrnes taught at Xavier College.[1]
Byrnes was admitted as a barrister in Victoria on 8 July 1884 and returned for a Queensland admission on 5 August; he then began a successful career as a barrister.[1] Byrnes' talent brought him to the attention of fellow barrister Sir Samuel Griffith, then Premier of Queensland, who had him appointed Solicitor-General with a seat in the Legislative Council. Byrnes stood down from the Legislative Council to successfully stand for Cairns in the Legislative Assembly in 1893.
Byrnes continued his private law practice and participated in two major Supreme Court of Queensland cases. In the Queensland Investment Co. v. Grimley case, Byrnes successful conduct of the defence was praised widely. In the John Robb arbitration case of 1892, praise for Byrnes skill was accompanied by public objection to the high fees paid to Samuel Griffith as leading counsel and to Byrnes as one of his assistants.[1] In 1895 and 1897, Byrnes represented Queensland at meetings of the Federal Council of Australasia.[1]
Sir Thomas McIlwraith appointed him as Attorney-General in the Continuous Ministry, and when Hugh Nelson stepped down as Premier; Byrnes, the youngest member of the Ministry by a large margin, became Premier.
Byrnes' ability had led many to expect great things of him, but he suddenly contracted measles then pneumonia and died on 27 September 1898. Byrnes was buried in Toowong cemetery after a state funeral.[1]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir Hugh Nelson |
Premier of Queensland 1898 |
Succeeded by James Dickson |
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