Thomas Henley

This article is about the Australian politician. For the U.S. Representative from Indiana, see Thomas J. Henley.

Sir Thomas Henley KBE (4 February 1860 14 May 1935) was an Australian politician, elected as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.

Early years

Henley was born in Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, England and after basic education worked in the building industry for about ten years until he migrated to Sydney in about 1884. He married Charlotte Smith in 1886. He became a property developer and continued to build up his business during the depression of the 1890s, including acquiring Sydney Harbour ferry companies. He was an alderman for Drummoyne Council from 1898 to 1934, including four periods as Mayor.[1]

Political career

Henley was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1904 representing Burwood as a member of the Liberal Reform Party, Liberal Party, Nationalist Party and United Australia Party until 1935, except for the period of proportional representation (1920–1927), when he was a member for Ryde.[2] He had a forthright parliamentary style, boasting of his own success and the merits of hard work. Opponents called him the "great 'I am".

Henley fell from a Manly ferry and drowned on 14 May 1935 amid rumours of suicide. He was survived by his wife, two daughters and a son Herbert, who was a member of the Legislative Council from 1937 to 1964.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Heather Radi. "Henley, Sir Thomas (1860 - 1935)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 29 September 2006.
  2. "Sir Thomas Henley (1860 - 1935)". Members of Parliament. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 2007-04-30.
Parliament of New South Wales
Preceded by
William Archer
Member for Burwood
1904 1920
Succeeded by
Abolished
Preceded by
William Thompson
Member for Ryde
1920 1927
Served alongside: Anderson, Bavin, Greig, Loxton/Sanders
Succeeded by
Henry McDicken
Preceded by
New seat
Member for Burwood
1927 1935
Succeeded by
Gordon Jackett