Lancelot Stirling

Sir John Lancelot Stirling KCMG (5 November 1849 – 24 May 1932), generally known as Sir Lancelot Stirling,^[1] was an Australian politician and grazier.^[2]

Early life

Stirling was born at Strathalbyn, South Australia, the son of Edward Stirling (1804–1873) and his wife Harriett, née Taylor and brother of Sir Edward Charles Stirling.^[2] J. L. Stirling was educated at St Peter's College, Adelaide and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. and LL.B^[3] Stirling was a good athlete and, representing Cambridge against Oxford, won the 120 yards hurdles. Stirling also won the amateur championship of England in this event in 1870 and again in 1872, his time in the latter year being 16.8 seconds, considered a good performance at that time.

Career

Stirling read for the bar and was admitted at the Inner Temple in 1872, but never practised. Stirling returned to South Australia soon afterwards, became a pastoralist, and bred prize horses and merino sheep. He entered the South Australian Legislative Assembly in 1881 for Mount Barker, which he held until April 1887, and afterwards represented Gumeracha until 1890, when he became a member of the South Australian Legislative Council, representing the Southern Districts. In December 1899 Stirling was chief secretary in the Vaiben Solomon cabinet but this ministry was defeated directly the house met. In 1901 Stirling was elected President of the Legislative Council, and continued hold that position until his death on 24 May 1932.^[2]

On 2 December 1882, Stirling married Florence Marion, daughter of Sir William Milne and was survived by his wife, three sons and two daughters.^[2] Stirling was knighted in 1902, created KCMG in 1909 and OBE in 1918. He continued his interest in sport all his life, pioneering polo in South Australia and captaining the team which twice beat Victoria.^[4] For a time Stirling was master of the Adelaide Hounds and was a well-known figure at racing meetings. He was a member of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society and its president from 1891 to 1893; he was president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Pastoralists' Association, the St Peter's Old Collegians Association, the South Australian Zoological and Acclimatization Society, and was a member of the Adelaide University council. He was a member of the Caledonian Society of South Australia, and its Chief 1885–1886.

Stirling also possessed a good business sense and was a director of well-known companies. In politics he was respected as a man of individuality but not regarded as a first-rate speaker. Stirling found his ideal position as president of the council, admirably carrying out his duties; as the years passed becoming a kind of elder brother to the newer members.^[4]

References