Who was Edmund Barton?
Edmund Barton was Australia's first Prime Minister, serving from 1 January 1901 to 1903. A Sydney lawyer and politician, he was a leading campaigner for Federation and later became a High Court judge.
Born in Sydney in 1849, Barton studied at the University of Sydney and became a barrister. He entered New South Wales politics in 1879 and became a strong advocate for uniting the colonies.
After Henry Parkes's death in 1896, Barton led the federation movement. He chaired the drafting committee at the constitutional conventions and travelled to London in 1900 to help secure the Constitution's passage.
Prime Minister
As leader of the Protectionist Party, Barton's government passed laws establishing the public service, defence forces and the Immigration Restriction Act 1901, the basis of the White Australia policy.
In 1903 he resigned to become one of the first three justices of the High Court of Australia.
He served on the High Court until his death in 1920 at Medlow Bath in the Blue Mountains.
Barton is remembered for his skill at building agreement between colonies with very different interests. The federal electorate of Barton in Sydney and the Canberra suburb of Barton are named after him, as is the Barton Highway linking Canberra and Yass.
Did You Know?
Barton was nicknamed Toby Tosspot because of his fondness for fine dining and drink.