Jonathan Binns Were

Jonathan Binns Were C.M.G., J.P. Victoria, (25 April 1809 – 6 September 1885)[1] was an Australian politician, member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly and a stockbroker.[2]

Were was the third son of the late Nicholas Were, of Landcox, Somerset, and was born at Wellington, in that county.[1] Were engaged in mercantile pursuits, and left Plymouth for Port Phillip, now Victoria (Australia), in July 1839, ultimately establishing himself as a merchant in Melbourne. In 1852 he unsuccessfully contested South Bourke for a seat in the original unicameral Victorian Legislative Council, Henry Miller defeating him.[1] Four years later Were was returned to the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Brighton, in opposition to John Dennistoun Wood. He, however, resigned in March 1857, and never re-entered political life.[1]

Were was stock and share broker from 1860 and was involved with firm named J. B. Were & Son from 1861.[3]

Were, who was consul in Melbourne for several foreign nations, was the first chairman of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce in 1841, and, was re-elected in 1852. In 1881 he was created C.M.G. in recognition of his services in connection with the Melbourne International Exhibition (1880).[1] Were was knighted by the kings of Sweden and Denmark.[2]

Were died on 6 September 1885,[1] in Victoria, Australia.[2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Mennell, Philip (1892). "Wikisource link to Were, Jonathan Binns". The Dictionary of Australasian Biography. London: Hutchinson & Co. Wikisource
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bate, Weston. "Were, Jonathan Binns (1809–1885)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: Australian National University. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  3. "Were, Jonathan Binns". re-member: a database of all Victorian MPs since 1851. Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 22 February 2013.