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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the National Archives' website and collection contain the names, images and voices of people who have died.

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Portrait of Edmund Barton

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  5. Edmund Barton: fast facts

Edmund Barton: fast facts

Edmund Barton was the first Prime Minister of Australia, from 1901 to 1903.

Personal profile

Born

18 January 1849, Glebe, New South Wales

Education

  • Sydney Grammar (1859-64)
  • University of Sydney (1865-68)

Employment

  • barrister
  • politician
  • judge

Memberships

  • Freemasons
  • Athenaeum Club

Marriage

28 December 1877, Newcastle, New South Wales

Children

  • Edmund Alfred (1879)
  • Wilfrid (1880)
  • Jean Alice (1882)
  • Arnold Hubert (1884)
  • Oswald (1888)
  • Leila Stephanie (1892)

Died

7 January 1920, Medlow Bath, New South Wales

Buried

South Head Cemetery, Sydney

Honours

  • Fellow of University of Sydney Senate (1882-89, 1892-1920)
  • Queen's Counsel (QC; 1889)
  • Privy Councillor (1901)
  • Knight Grand Cross, Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG; 1902)
  • Order of Rising Sun (Japan) First Class (1905)

Partner

Name

Jane Mason (Jeanie) Barton

Previous name

Jane Mason Ross

Born

11 June 1851, London, England

Memberships

  • Women's Federal League Sydney
  • Queens Club (founding president 1912-14)

Died

23 March 1938, Sydney, New South Wales

Honours

No official honours conferred

Political profile

Term as Prime Minister

1 January 1901 to 24 September 1903

Terms as Member of Parliament

  • New South Wales Legislative Assembly:
    • 1879-80 (University of Sydney)
    • 1880-82 (Wellington)
    • 1882-87, 1891-94 (East Sydney)
    • 1898-1900 (Hastings-Macleay)
  • New South Wales Legislative Council:
    • 1887-91
    • 1897-98
  • House of Representatives:
    • 9 May 1901 to 24 September 1903 (Hunter)

Portfolios

  • External Affairs: 1 January 1901 to 24 September 1903

Political membership

  • Protectionist Party
    • federal parliamentary leader (1901-03)

After office

  • Justice of the High Court of Australia (1903-20)

In this section: Edmund Barton

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

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