Henry Dobson

Henry Dobson (24 December 1841 – 10 October 1918) was an Australian politician, who served as a member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly and later of the Australian Senate. He was the 17th Premier of Tasmania from 17 August 1892 to 14 April 1894.

For other uses, see Henry Dobson (disambiguation).

Henry Dobson
17th Premier of Tasmania
In office
17 August 1892 – 14 April 1894
Preceded byPhilip Fysh
Succeeded byEdward Braddon
Senator for Tasmania
In office
29 March 1901 – 30 June 1910
Personal details
Born(1841-12-24)24 December 1841
Hobart Town, Van Diemen's Land
Died10 October 1918(1918-10-10) (aged 76)
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Spouse(s)Emily Dobson
ProfessionLawyer

Dobson was born in Hobart Town, Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania), the son of John Dobson and full brother to Alfred and half-brother to William Lambert Dobson,[1] and Frank Dobson.[2] Dobson was educated at The Hutchins School and worked for a merchant firm before commencing legal training with Allport, Robson & Allport. He was admitted to the Tasmanian Bar in 1846, and partnered with William Giblin from 1865 to 1870, and was a senior partner in the law firm Dobson, Mitchell & Allport (started by his father).[3]

Political career

Tasmanian House of Assembly

Dobson's political career began on 12 August 1891, when he was elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly representing the electorate of Brighton. He was quickly made Leader of the Opposition the next month, and became Premier of Tasmania on 17 August 1892 after the fall of Philip Fysh's government.

Dobson had a keen interest in education, and introduced compulsory education legislation into the Tasmanian parliament. He also promoted Tasmania as a tourist destination and fruit-growing centre, attributes which it remains known for today. Economic factors required him to make difficult decisions, and when a proposed retrenchment program was rejected in the Parliament, Dobson obtained a dissolution from the Governor, and then resigned as Premier on 14 April 1894 when the situation remained unchanged after the election.[3]

Dobson at the 1898 Australasian Federal Convention.

After retiring as Premier, Dobson remained in his seat until he retired on 9 March 1900.

Australian Senate

Dobson was a keen supporter of the Federation of Australia, and when federation took place in 1901, Dobson was elected as a member of the first Australian Senate for Tasmania. He remained in the Senate for over nine years, but retired when he lost the election on 30 June 1910.[3] He served as Chairman of Committees from 1908 to 1910.[4]

Later life

After retiring from politics, Dobson turned his efforts to promoting Tasmanian tourism. He founded and was president of the Tasmanian Tourist Association from 1893,[5] helped found the Tourist and Information Bureau and the Scenery Preservation Board in 1915, and was chairman of the National Park Board from 1917 to 1918.

Dobson died on 10 October 1918 in Hobart.[6]

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References
  1. Dollery, E. M. "Dobson, Alfred (1848–1908)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Melbourne University Press. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 17 October 2012 – via National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
  2. Barrow, Elizabeth. "Dobson, Frank Stanley (1835–1895)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Melbourne University Press. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 20 October 2012 – via National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
  3. E. M. Dollery, Dobson, Henry (1841 - 1918), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 8, Melbourne University Press, 1981, pp 311-312.
  4. "Appendix 3―Deputy Presidents and Chairmen of Committees (1901–2009)". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  5. 1384.6 - Statistics - Tasmania, 2005, Australian Bureau of Statistics, 9 September 2005.
  6. "Death of Mr. Henry Dobson". Zeehan And Dundas Herald. Tasmania, Australia. 11 October 1918. p. 2. Retrieved 12 January 2020 – via Trove.
Political offices
Preceded by
Philip Fysh		 Premier of Tasmania
1892 – 1894		 Succeeded by
Edward Braddon
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