Robert Reid (Australian politician)

For the Victorian Legislative Council member and pastoralist, (1829–1900), see Robert Dyce Reid.
Robert Reid
Senator for Victoria
In office
21 January 1903 – 31 December 1903
Preceded by Sir Frederick Sargood
Personal details
Born 18 October 1842
Leven, Fife, Scotland
Died 12 May 1904 (aged 61)
London, England
Nationality Scottish Australian
Political party Free Trade Party
Spouse(s) Mary Jane née Clancy
Children at least 10
Occupation Businessman

Robert Reid (18 October 1842 – 12 May 1904)[1][2] was a Scottish-born Australian politician. Born in Leven, 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 1891, after the death of Nunn, co-owner with Buckley of Buckley & Nunn store, Reid bought the business and sold it on in London in 1892 for £300,000.[3]

In October 1892 Reid was elected to the Victorian Legislative Council for Melbourne Province as a Free Trader, becoming Minister for Defence and Minister for Health.[1] Reid 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.

Reid did not contest the 1903 election, and died in 1904.[4]

Reid was survived by his wife, four sons and six daughters. His sons continued the family business. His daughter Isabelle was a veterinary surgeon.[5] She established a practice in Balwyn, Victoria close to the family home.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Reid, Robert". re-member: a database of all Victorian MPs since 1851. Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  2. ↑ Steven, Margaret (1988). "Reid, Robert (1842–1904)". Australian Dictionary of Biography 11. Canberra: Australian National University. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  3. ↑ "DEATH OF MR. MARS BUCKLEY.". The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956) (Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia). 11 October 1905. p. 7. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  4. ↑ Carr, Adam (2008). "Australian Election Archive". Psephos, Adam Carr's Election Archive. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  5. ↑ Wirth, Hugh J. (2002). "Reid, Isabelle Bruce (Belle) (1883–1945)". Australian Dictionary of Biography 16. Canberra: Australian National University. Retrieved 30 December 2014.