James Drake
In office
30 March 1901 – 31 December 1906
Born 26 April 1850(1850-04-26)
London, England
Died 1 August 1941 (aged 91)
Brisbane, Queensland
Nationality English Australian
Political party Protectionist Party
Occupation Storekeeper, journalist
James George Drake (26 April 1850–1 August 1941), Australian politician, was a member of the first federal ministry.
Drake was born in London and educated at King's College School, and migrated to Australia in 1873, working as a storekeeper and journalist in Queensland. He became a shorthand reporter for the Parliament of Queensland in 1876 until he was admitted as a barrister in 1882. A Protectionist, he was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly 1888–99 and was an appointed member of the Legislative Council of Queensland 1899–1901. He was Postmaster-General and Secretary for Public Instruction 1899-1901.[1]
Drake was an early and energetic supporter of Australia. He was elected to the Australian Senate in 1901 as a Senator for Queensland. He was Postmaster-General 1901–03 in the ministry of Edmund Barton. He was Minister for Defence 1903, Attorney General 1903–04 and Vice-President of the Executive Council 1904–05. He was left out of Alfred Deakin's second ministry and retired from parliament in 1906. He stood for the Queensland state seat of North Brisbane in 1907, but only gained 137 votes.[1]
Drake was state crown prosecutor from 1910 to 1920. He died in Brisbane Hospital, survived by four children from his marriage to Mary Street in 1897.[1]
Notes
- ^ a b c Gibbney, H. J. (1981). "Drake, James George (1850 - 1941)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A080361b.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-19.
Preceded by
John Forrest Postmaster-General
1901–1903 Succeeded by
Philip Fysh
Preceded by
Alfred Deakin Attorney General
1903–1904 Succeeded by
H.B. Higgins
Preceded by
John Forrest Minister for Defence
1901–1903 Succeeded by
Austin Chapman
Preceded by
Gregor McGregor Vice-President of the Executive Council
1904–1905 Succeeded by
Thomas Ewing
Persondata
NAME Drake, James George
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Australian politician
DATE OF BIRTH 26 April 1850
PLACE OF BIRTH London, England
DATE OF DEATH 1 August 1941
PLACE OF DEATH Brisbane, Queensland