George Kerferd
George Briscoe Kerferd | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Liverpool, England |
| Died | December 31, 1889 (aged 58) Sorrento, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, Judge |
| Years active | 1864–1889 |
| Known for | 10th Premier of Victoria, Attorney-General of Victoria, Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria |
George Briscoe Kerferd (21 January 1831 – 31 December 1889) was a prominent figure in Australian colonial politics, serving as the 10th Premier of Victoria.
Early life and education
Kerferd was born in Liverpool, England, the son of a man who worked either as a merchant or bookkeeper. He received his education at Liverpool's Collegiate Institute. Although he initially intended to pursue legal studies, he ultimately joined his father’s commercial enterprise.
Career
In 1853, Kerferd relocated to Victoria with the aim of opening a branch of the family business, a plan that did not come to fruition. After trying his hand at gold mining in Bendigo, he established himself in Beechworth as a brewer and wine merchant. Between 1863 and 1864, he held the position of mayor of Beechworth on several occasions.
Kerferd was elected to the Legislative Assembly representing the Ovens district in 1864 and maintained this seat until 1886. Resuming his legal education in that year, he occupied several important governmental roles: Minister of Mines and Vice-President of the Board of Land and Works in 1868; Solicitor-General from 1872 to 1874; and Attorney-General in 1874 during James Francis’s administration.
After the fall of Francis’s government in July 1874, Kerferd succeeded him as Premier, heading a conservative cabinet. His Treasurer, James Service, advocated for eliminating tariffs and compensating for revenue losses through taxes on land and alcohol. This approach estranged both landowners and business interests, resulting in the administration’s defeat by August 1875.
Kerferd later served again as Attorney-General in conservative governments led by Service during 1875–1877, 1880, and 1883–1886. In 1883, he acted as Victoria’s delegate at the federal convention. He departed from political office in 1886 to accept a judgeship on the Supreme Court of Victoria, commencing on 1 January. Although his appointment stirred controversy due to superseding more senior barristers, his extensive tenure as Attorney-General justified his selection. Kerferd remained on the bench until his passing and was acknowledged for his judicial proficiency.
Personal life
He married Ann Martindale in 1853, with whom he had ten children.
Death and legacy
Kerferd passed away in 1889 while vacationing at Sorrento, Victoria.
His name endures through Kerferd Road in Albert Park and Kerferd Avenue in Sorrento.
Since 2003, the Kerferd Oration has been held annually in Beechworth to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the town's naming. This complimentary community event is supported by Indigo Shire, La Trobe University, and various commercial sponsors.
See also
Sources
- Geoff Browne, A Biographical Register of the Victorian Parliament, 1900-84, Government Printer, Melbourne, 1985
- Don Garden, Victoria: A History, Thomas Nelson, Melbourne, 1984
- Kathleen Thompson and Geoffrey Serle, A Biographical Register of the Victorian Parliament, 1856-1900, Australian National University Press, Canberra, 1972
- Raymond Wright, A People's Counsel. A History of the Parliament of Victoria, 1856-1990, Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 1992