By Michelle
Early Life
* Alfred Deakin was born on the 3rd of August, 1856 in Fitzroy Melbourne
after his parents migrated to Australia in 1850.
* He went to Melbourne's Church of England Grammar School and the
University of Melbourne.
* He was interested in his writing and became a part-time journalist
for the Melbourne Age.
* In 1882, Deakin married Martha Elizabeth Browne and they had three
girls.
Achievements In Parliament
* Deakin gained a seat in the Victorian Parliament in 1880.
* Deakin became Minister for Public Works and Water Supply in 1883.
* In 1886, Deakin was offered a knighthood, while he was still 30,
which he refused.
* He pioneered legislation and initiated an irrigation scheme based
on his inspection of similar schemes in California and India.
* In 1890, Deakin accompanied Edmund Barton to London to present
the draft constitution and he then became the Attorney General in the
new Commonwealth Parliament, 1901.
* When Barton was overseas in 1902, Deakin acted as Prime Minister
and in 1903. Deakin succeeded Barton when he resigned.
* On the 27th of April, 1904, the Labor Party withdrew its support,
which forced Deakin out of office.
* Deakin once again became Prime Minister on the 5th of July, 1905
and stayed Prime Minister for over three years.
* Deakin visited England in 1907 to take part in the Imperial Conference
that year.
* His government started:
* Established the ‘basic wage‘
for workers.
* Began ‘old age pension‘.
* In 1908, Deakin lost office as Prime Minister.
* Deakin was sworn in as Prime Minister for the third time in June,
1909 until 1910.
* Deakin's health was poor.
* Deakin retired from politics in January, 1913.
* He died at Melbourne on the 7th of October, 1919.
* Deakin was a dominant figure during the first ten years of Federation
and regarded as "the great builder".
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Timeline of
his life
1856 - Alfred Deakin was born.
1880 - Deakin gained a seat in the Victorian Parliament.
1882 - Deakin Minister for Public Works and Water Supply.
1883 - Deakin married Martha Elizabeth Browne.
1886 - Deakin was offered a knighthood, but refused.
1890 - Deakin accompanied Barton to London.
1903 - Deakin became Prime Minister.
1904 - Deakin was forced out of office.
1905 - Deakin became Prime Minister again.
1908 - Deakin was forced out of office again.
1909 - Deakin became Prime Minister for the last time.
1910 - Deakin was forced out of office again.
1913 - Deakin retired
1919 - Alfred Deakin died.
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Bibliography
The Australian Encyclopaedia Volume 3
The Oxford Companion to Australian History
