David Davies (Australian politician)
David Mortimer Davies (c.1840 – 18 June 1894)[1] was a politician in colonial Victoria (Australia).
Davies was born in Blaina, Monmouthshire, Wales, son of Thomas Davies, a miner, and his wife Annie, née Lewis.[1] Davies was educated for the ministry at the Brecon Independent College, in that principality, but, his views having undergone a change in regard to some important religious doctrines, he resigned his charge, and entered on agricultural pursuits.[2]
Davies emigrated to South Australia, arriving at Adelaide in 1866, and removed thence to Ballarat, in Victoria, the next year, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, in the Buninyong district.[2] Davies was elected a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Grenville in May 1877, and represented the constituency until his death on 18 June 1894.[3] He is a strong Liberal and Protectionist, and was Government whip during the Graham Berry régime. In October 1887 he joined the Gillies-Deakin Cabinet, but held no portfolio till June 1889, when he became Commissioner of Public Works and Vice-President of the Board of Land and Works.[2] From June to November 1890 he was Minister of Mines in the same Government, resigning with his colleagues at the latter date.[2]
Davies died in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia on 18 June 1894, survived by his wife (Sarah née Phillips) and by five sons and one daughter.[1]
References
- Reiger, Kerreen M. "Davies, David Mortimer (1840–1894)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Melbourne University Press. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 6 December 2013 – via National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
- Mennell, Philip (1892). . The Dictionary of Australasian Biography. London: Hutchinson & Co – via Wikisource.
- "Davies, David Mortimer". re-member: a database of all Victorian MPs since 1851. Parliament of Victoria. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2013.