William Piddington
William Richman Piddington | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1815 Newington St Mary, Surrey, England |
| Died | 1887-11-25 |
| Occupation(s) | Bookseller, politician |
| Years active | 1838–1887 |
| Known for | Colonial Treasurer of New South Wales, member of NSW Legislative Assembly and Council |
William Richman Piddington (1815 – 25 November 1887) was a prominent Australian bookseller and political figure. His legislative career spanned service in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1856 to 1877, followed by membership in the New South Wales Legislative Council from 1879 until his passing. Piddington occupied the position of Colonial Treasurer of New South Wales on two occasions, first in 1872 and again in 1877.
Early life
Piddington was born on 8 March 1813 in Newington St Mary, Surrey, England, to parents Bythima (née Richman) and William Weston Piddington, belonging to a family engaged in the bookselling trade. He initially gained experience working at a Bond Street bookshop in London before relocating to Sydney in 1838. After a short stint farming along the Hunter River, he launched a stationery and book retail business at 332 George St, Sydney—an address later replaced by the Eastway Brothers' Building in 1906. Politically aligned with radical ideals, Piddington opposed the conservative constitution put forward by William Wentworth, participated actively in the committee of the Anti-Transportation League, and served as an alderman on the Sydney Municipal Council in 1851.
Colonial Parliament
During the inaugural election conducted under the new constitution in 1856, Piddington secured election to represent the Northumberland and Hunter seat. Following the abolition of this district at the 1859 election, he successfully contested and represented Hawkesbury until 1877. In 1879, he accepted a lifetime appointment to the Legislative Council, where he held the role of Chairman of Committees from March 1885 until his death.
Government
Piddington was appointed Colonial Treasurer during Henry Parkes' initial ministry beginning in May 1872 but resigned by December due to health concerns. He resumed this ministerial post during Parkes' second administration in 1877; however, he lost his legislative seat that same year. His policy interests included advocating for expansion of rural railway infrastructure and opposing government funding for denominational schools. While early in his career he embraced liberal reforms—supporting Parkes's 1866 Education Act and resisting state aid for religious worship—his political stance shifted toward conservatism over time, notably opposing universal male suffrage. Despite facing criticism for these ideological changes, he played a significant role in the reconstruction of St Mary's Cathedral and retained influence over important policy debates.