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Portrait of Edmund Barton

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  3. Australia's prime ministers
  4. Edmund Barton

Edmund Barton

Edmund Barton was the first Prime Minister of Australia. He held office from 1901 to 1903.

About Edmund Barton

Portrait of Edmund Barton

  • Born: 18 January 1849
  • Died: 7 January 1920
  • Partner: Jane Mason (Jeanie) Barton
  • Political party: Protectionist Party
  • Image: NAA: A1200, L13582B

Federation was Edmund Barton's 'one great thing'. One of the key architects of Australia's Constitution, Barton became the new nation's first Prime Minister at a grand ceremony in Centennial Park, Sydney, on 1 January 1901. He retained this role after the first federal election in March 1901, where he was elected the member for Hunter.

Admired for his intellect and calm temper, Barton's glowing eyes revealed a keen sense of humour, while his ample girth was evidence of a love of good food, fine wine and stimulating conversation. With a rich and engrossing voice, he commanded authority wherever he spoke.

In 1903, Barton resigned to become one of the 3 founding Justices of the High Court of Australia.

Did you know?

Edmund Barton:

  • was Australia's first prime minister
  • spoke more than any other member in the first House of Representatives (it's on the Hansard record)
  • was the second Australian to receive the Knight Grand Cross, Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG) – the highest knighthood available in the British Empire (Sir Henry Parkes was the first)
  • was one of 3 Australian prime ministers to receive Japan's Order of the Rising Sun, First Class (the others were Robert Menzies and John McEwen)
  • was nicknamed 'Toby Tosspot' by the Bulletin

In this section: Edmund Barton

  • Fast facts
  • Timeline
  • Before office
  • Elections
  • During office
  • After office
  • Partner
  • Key people
  • Records

Learning Resources

Original records and material to help students with their research.

Record

Edmund Barton's annotated copy of the 1891 draft of the Constitution.

Edmund Barton's annotated copy of the 1891 draft of the Constitution

Barton’s handwritten notes in red ink record decisions made by the Constitution Committee, which he chaired, at the Australasian Federal Convention of 1897–98.

Record

A typed letter on the letterhead of the ‘Anti-Female-Suffrage League’. The letter is stamped with ‘Commonwealth of Australia Prime Minister 8 Feb 1901 no. 01/179’, with the handwritten word ‘Acknowledge’ and the date of acknowledgement recorded as ‘8/2/1901’ with a signature. The letter is signed ‘P.J. Gandon’.

Anti-Female-Suffrage League memorandum to Prime Minister Barton regarding voting rights for women

This letter from the Anti-Female-Suffrage League to Prime Minister Barton criticises Barton’s support for voting rights for women.

Record

Prime Minister Edmund Barton's Oath of Allegiance

Prime Minister Edmund Barton's Oath of Allegiance

This is the oath of allegiance to Queen Victoria and 'Her Heirs and Successors according to law' signed by Edmund Barton as he was sworn in to the first government ministry of the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January 1901.

Records about Edmund Barton

View selected National Archives' records about Edmund Barton

View records

Explore Prime Ministers

Portrait of Alfred Deakin

Alfred Deakin

1903-1904
1905-1908
1909-1910

Portrait of Chris Watson

Chris Watson

1904

Portrait of George Reid

George Reid

1904-1905

Old Parliament House, Canberra

All prime ministers

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The National Archives of Australia acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of Country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the people, their cultures and Elders past and present.

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