James Drake
| The Honourable James Drake | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Senator for Queensland | |
|
In office 30 March 1901 – 31 December 1906 | |
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Enoggera | |
|
In office 12 May 1888 – 7 December 1899 | |
| Preceded by | James Dickson |
| Succeeded by | Matthew Reid |
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Council | |
|
In office 17 December 1899 – 13 May 1901 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James George Drake 26 April 1850 London, England |
| Died |
1 August 1941 (aged 91) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Resting place | Toowong Cemetery |
| Nationality | English Australian |
| Political party | Protectionist Party |
| Other political affiliations | Opposition |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Street (m.1897 d.1924) |
| Occupation | Barrister, Journalist, Crown Prosecutor |
| Religion | Church of England |
James George Drake (26 April 1850 – 1 August 1941) was an Australian politician. He was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, a Member of the Queensland Legislative Council and a member of the first federal ministry as an Australian Senator.
Early life, education, and early career
Drake was born in London and educated at King's College School, and migrated to Australia in 1873, working as a storekeeper and journalist in Queensland. He became a shorthand reporter for the Parliament of Queensland in 1876 until he was admitted as a barrister in 1882.
Political career
A Protectionist, he was a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland for the Electoral district of Enoggera from 12 May 1888 to 7 December 1899. Following his period as an elected representative, he was appointed a life Member of the Legislative Council of Queensland on 7 December 1899, during which he was Postmaster-General and Secretary for Public Instruction in Queensland. Although membership of the Legislative Council was a life appointment, he resigned on 13 May 1901 in order to pursue a career in newly established federal parliament.[1][2]
Drake was an early and energetic supporter of Australia. He was elected to the Australian Senate in 1901 as a Senator for Queensland. He was Postmaster-General 1901–03 in the ministry of Edmund Barton. He was Minister for Defence 1903, Attorney General 1903–04 and Vice-President of the Executive Council 1904–05. He was left out of Alfred Deakin's second ministry and retired from parliament in 1906. He stood for the Queensland state seat of North Brisbane in 1907, but only gained 137 votes.[1]
Drake was state crown prosecutor from 1910 to 1920.
Death
He died in Brisbane Hospital and was buried in Toowong Cemetery.[3] He was the last surviving member of the Barton, Reid and the first Deakin Cabinet. Drake was survived by four children from his marriage to Mary Street in 1897.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 Gibbney, H. J. (1981). "Drake, James George (1850–1941)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: Australian National University. Retrieved 19 October 2007.
- ↑ "Former Members Register". Queensland Parliament. Retrieved 31 December 2012.
- ↑ Drake James George — Brisbane City Council Grave Location Search. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to James Drake (Queensland politician). |
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by James Robert Dickson & Robert Bulcock (dual member constituency) |
Legislative Assembly of Queensland Electoral district of Enoggera 12 May 1888 – 7 December 1899 |
Succeeded by Matthew Reid |
| Preceded by |
Legislative Council of Queensland 7 December 1899 – 13 May 1901 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by John Forrest |
Postmaster-General 1901–03 |
Succeeded by Philip Fysh |
| Preceded by Alfred Deakin |
Attorney General 1903–04 |
Succeeded by H.B. Higgins |
| Preceded by John Forrest |
Minister for Defence 1901–03 |
Succeeded by Austin Chapman |
| Preceded by Gregor McGregor |
Vice-President of the Executive Council 1904–05 |
Succeeded by Thomas Ewing |
Barton Cabinet (1901–03) | ||
|---|---|---|
Prime Minister: Edmund Barton | ||
 | ||
First Deakin Cabinet (1903–04) | ||
|---|---|---|
Prime Minister: Alfred Deakin | ||
 | ||