Dugald Thomson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister for Home Affairs | |
| In office 17 August 1904 – 5 July 1905 | |
| Prime Minister | George Reid |
| Preceded by | Lee Batchelor |
| Succeeded by | Littleton Groom |
| Member of theAustralian Parliament forNorth Sydney | |
| In office 29 March 1901 – 19 February 1910 | |
| Preceded by | New seat |
| Succeeded by | George Edwards |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1849-12-28)28 December 1849 Camberwell, London, England |
| Died | 27 November 1922(1922-11-27) (aged 72) Kirribilli, New South Wales, Australia |
| Resting place | Gore Hill cemetery |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Free Trade (1901–06) Anti-Socialist (1906–09) Liberal (1909–10) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Dugald Thomson (28 December 1849 – 27 November 1922) was an Australian politician. He campaigned forFederation as a member of theNew South Wales Legislative Assembly (1894–1901), and was subsequently elected to the new federalHouse of Representatives (1901–1910). He served asMinister for Home Affairs in theReid government from 1904 to 1905.
Thomson was born inCamberwell, London, England, to Scottish parents Jane (née Duncan) and John Thomson. His father was an insurance broker. The family emigrated to South Australia the year after he was born, and later moved to Victoria. Thomson completed his education in England and trained at his uncle's business inLiverpool. After spending two years at sea, he returned to Melbourne at the age of 19 and joined the merchant firm ofRobert Harper. He set up a Sydney branch in 1877 and was a managing partner until 1892. He also established the North Shore Steam Ferry Company withJames Garvan.[1][2]
Thomson won theNew South Wales Legislative Assembly seat ofWarringah in 1894 and supported theFree Trade ministry ofGeorge Reid, although he opposed its legislation on workplace conditions, made necessary by its dependence onLabor Party support.[1]
Thomson was a supporter offederation and won theHouse of Representatives seat ofNorth Sydney at the1901 election and held it to his retirement prior to the1910 election.[1] In early 1904, following the retirement ofWilliam McMillan, he was elected deputy leader of the Free Traders. He relinquished the position toJoseph Cook on 28 July 1905.[3]
Thomson wasMinister for Home Affairs from 1904 to 1905 in theReid Ministry. During his period in parliament he spoke often on maritime matters, and served on tworoyal commissions.[1]
In July 1909, Thomson was elected president of the newly formed New South Wales Federal Liberal League.[4]
Thomson died in the Sydney suburb ofKirribilli at the age of 72, unmarried.[1]
| New South Wales Legislative Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| New seat | Member forWarringah 1894–1901 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Minister for Home Affairs 1904–1905 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Deputy Leader of theFree Trade Party 1904–1905 | Succeeded by |
| Parliament of Australia | ||
| New division | Member forNorth Sydney 1901–1910 | Succeeded by |
