Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
Peer-reviewed national biographical dictionary; entries are signed and cite their own sources.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Occupation (Bank clerk, Bank of New South Wales)” FROM 1862 TO 1864 of Boyd Dunlop Morehead
He tried various gold and sapphire diggings and in 1862 as a clerk joined the Bank of New South Wales but was dismissed for insubordination in 1864.
ADB, opening paragraph.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Occupation (Station manager, Bowen Downs)” FROM 1866 TO 1881 of Boyd Dunlop Morehead
After acquiring pastoral experience on several stations he was manager of the Scottish Australian Investment Co.'s Bowen Downs in 1866-81, often acting as an inspector of the company's other stations. In 1870 a thousand cattle were stolen from Bowen Downs and driven to South Australia. Morehead went to Adelaide to recover them and trace the thieves who were later indicted in Queensland without success.
ADB, opening paragraph. Bowen Downs station itself is not a place row in this tree, so the event is placed at the colony level.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
With A. B. Buchanan in 1873 he founded B. D. Morehead & Co. which had two branches: a mercantile and trading business, and a stock and station agency. By 1877 he had thirteen stations in the Mitchell District.
ADB, opening paragraph. Neither ADB nor Wikipedia associates him with a firm named Bright Brothers; his own firm was B. D. Morehead & Co.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
In the Legislative Council he served as postmaster-general and ministerial representative from December 1880 to August 1883.
The 31 December 1880 appointment date is from the Wikipedia article; ADB gives the month only.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Colonial Secretary of Queensland” FROM JUN 1888 TO AUG 1890 of Boyd Dunlop Morehead
Back in the Legislative Assembly he was colonial secretary from June to November 1888, and premier, chief secretary and colonial secretary from November 1888 to August 1890.
ADB, second paragraph. The two stints were continuous, so they are recorded as one span.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
From June 1896 to October 1905 he was again in the council.
ADB, second paragraph. The exact day, 10 June 1896, is from the Wikipedia article.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Occupation (Director, Queensland National Bank)” of Boyd Dunlop Morehead
Morehead suffered disaster in the 1893 crisis. He had been a director of the Queensland National Bank for some years and invested heavily in share stock which long remained valueless owing to calls on liabilities.
ADB, final paragraph. No start or end date for the directorship is given, so the event carries no date.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Member, Royal Commission on Liquor Laws” 1901 of Boyd Dunlop Morehead
In 1896 he refused an offer to represent the colony as agent-general in London but in 1901 served on the royal commission on liquor laws.
ADB, fourth paragraph.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Occupation (Goldminer)” FROM 1853 of John Murtagh MacRossan
He arrived at Melbourne in 1853 and was a miner in Victoria and probably in New South Wales and New Zealand before 1865 when he was certainly located on the North Queensland goldfields.
ADB gives the arrival year and the sequence of goldfields. The end of the mining period is not stated, so the event date is left open.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Organiser, Ravenswood Miners' Protection Association” 1871 of John Murtagh MacRossan
By the early 1870s he had emerged as a leading figure among the North Queensland miners. In 1871 he organized the Ravenswood Miners' Protection Association which petitioned the minister for removal of the field warden. In that year Macrossan was convicted in the Townsville court of having assaulted the warden, T. R. Hackett, whom he had publicly horsewhipped.
ADB dates the association to 1871 and supplies the horsewhipping conviction. The event date follows ADB as the more detailed account.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
In November 1873 Macrossan was returned to the Queensland Legislative Assembly for one of the newly-constituted seats for the Kennedy electorate. After some years as an independent, he threw in his lot with Thomas McIlwraith . In the 1878 elections, which brought the Conservatives to office, Macrossan swung the northern electorates solidly behind McIlwraith, but was himself defeated by making a last-minute decision to contest a doubtful seat.
ADB supplies the month of election, the electorate and the circumstances of the 1878 defeat.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
However, he was given the portfolio of works and mines on 21 January 1879 and in March was elected for Townsville; he retained this seat until 1891.
ADB supplies the month of the by-election and confirms he held the seat until 1891.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
However, he was given the portfolio of works and mines on 21 January 1879 and in March was elected for Townsville; he retained this seat until 1891. Macrossan resigned from the ministry in March 1883 but returned to office in June 1888 under McIlwraith.
ADB gives the exact date of appointment and the March 1883 resignation.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Secretary for Mines, Queensland” FROM JUN 1888 TO AUG 1890 of John Murtagh MacRossan
Macrossan resigned from the ministry in March 1883 but returned to office in June 1888 under McIlwraith. In January 1890 he added the portfolio of colonial secretary to that of mines. As a minister Macrossan was able and hard-working. ... He was responsible for two mining Acts which were well received and clearly represented many reforms. In particular the 1888 Act emphasized employer liability in cases of accident and included such radical measures as inspection by workers' representatives.
ADB gives the June 1888 return to office, confirms he still held mines in January 1890, and describes the mining Acts. The ellipsis marks omitted intervening sentences; the quoted fragments are verbatim.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Colonial Secretary of Queensland” FROM JAN 1890 TO AUG 1890 of John Murtagh MacRossan
In January 1890 he added the portfolio of colonial secretary to that of mines.
ADB dates the appointment; the same ADB entry states 'Although the government resigned in August' 1890, which fixes the end of the office.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Delegate, Australasian Federation Conference” FEB 1890 of John Murtagh MacRossan
In February 1890 Macrossan and Sir Samuel Griffith attended the conference on Federation called by Sir Henry Parkes in Melbourne.
ADB names the conference, its convener, the month and the fellow Queensland delegate.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Delegate, National Australasian Convention” 1891 of John Murtagh MacRossan
Although the government resigned in August Macrossan was chosen to accompany Griffith to the Australasian National Convention at Sydney in 1891. ... In the convention debates he stands out for his knowledge and admiration of American precedent.
ADB places him at the Sydney convention and characterises his contribution. The ellipsis marks omitted intervening text; the quoted fragments are verbatim.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Occupation (Newspaper proprietor)” of John Murtagh MacRossan
He certainly controlled the Northern Advocate and Miners' Journal for some time and was rumoured to have other newspaper interests in the north.
ADB is the only source for the newspaper interest and gives no dates, so the event carries none.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Buried” 1891 of John Murtagh MacRossan
Macrossan had been suffering from heart disease for some years but he had an attack of bronchitis and died during the convention on 30 March. He was buried in Nudgee, Queensland.
ADB gives the cause of death and the place of burial but no burial date, so only the year is recorded.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
He failed in a first attempt to win a seat in the Legislative Council but represented Port Phillip from August 1845 to June 1848 and then became commissioner of crown lands for the Burnett District.
The Wikipedia infobox gives the same term precisely as 1 August 1845 to 20 June 1848. The DNB entry instead says he retired from the legislature on 7 November 1848; the two later sources agree on June 1848, so the month-level range is used here.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Government Resident, Port Curtis” FROM JAN 1854 TO FEB 1860 of Maurice Charles O'Connell
While in Gladstone he acquired several squatting properties and developed a small copper-mine but in February 1860 his office was again abolished.
Supports the Gladstone activities and the February 1860 end date. The ADB records that the office was abolished once before, after a critical select committee in 1855, and that he was reappointed to deal with a gold rush near Port Curtis; the date range here spans the whole period.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Minister without Portfolio, first Herbert Ministry” of Maurice Charles O'Connell
He was also one of the first nominees to the Legislative Council and acted as minister without portfolio in the first Herbert ministry.
Left undated deliberately: the DNB entry gives '21 May to 28 Aug.' but attaches those days to 1859, which cannot be right for the first Herbert ministry, so no year is asserted.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Colonel-Commandant, Queensland Volunteers” 1859 of Maurice Charles O'Connell
When the colony of Queensland was created in 1859 O'Connell was given command of the volunteers.
The title 'colonel-commandant of the Queensland volunteers' is from the DNB entry, which is undated for this office; the 1859 date is from the ADB sentence quoted here.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Title (Knighthood)” 1868 of Maurice Charles O'Connell
Knighthood had been proposed for him in 1864 but was not granted until 1868 when as administrator of the government he was host to the Duke of Edinburgh.
The DNB entry agrees: 'In 1868 he was knighted.' The Wikipedia article body states, without a citation, that he was knighted in 1871; the two biographical dictionaries agree on 1868 and are preferred. No source consulted describes the honour as a KCMG, and the New South Wales Parliament register styles him 'Kt', so the order is left unstated.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Education (University of Melbourne)” FROM 1889 TO 1892 of Littleton Ernest Groom
"A brilliant student, winning many prizes, Littleton was educated at Toowoomba North State School, Toowoomba Grammar School, and the University of Melbourne (MA, 1891; LLM, 1892). While at Ormond College, Melbourne, he participated in journalistic and cultural activities"
Wikipedia's 'Early life' section instead reads: "He went on to attend Ormond College at the University of Melbourne, winning scholarships and graduating Bachelor of Arts in 1889 and Bachelor of Laws in 1891." Degree lists differ between the two sources; both are recorded in the summary and the 1889-1892 range is the span of the degree years they give.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Occupation (Barrister)” FROM 1891 TO 1901 of Littleton Ernest Groom
"Between 1891 and 1901, Groom combined a barrister’s practice in Brisbane with involvement in church and educational ventures. … As well as an involvement with the Brisbane Literary Circle and the Brisbane School of Arts, he was a leading figure in the Queensland University extension movement that organised public lectures. He collaborated in the authorship or preparation of legal reports and texts"
The Quick co-authorship is from the same entry: "He was joint author with Sir John Quick of The Judicial Power of the Commonwealth (1904)."
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Deputy Judge, District Court of Queensland” 1900 of Littleton Ernest Groom
"He collaborated in the authorship or preparation of legal reports and texts and, in 1900, was appointed a deputy judge of the District Court."
Wikipedia names the court: "In 1900 he was appointed a deputy judge on the District Court of Queensland."
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
"William Groom had been elected to the first House of Representatives in March 1901 as Member for Darling Downs but died on 8 August that year. At the request of his father’s supporters, Littleton stood at the subsequent by-election; he received the Barton government’s endorsement and, despite a strong opponent, was elected with a substantial majority on 14 September 1901."
End date from the Parliamentary Handbook electorate-service record for PHID KFK: "Electorate":"Darling Downs","ServiceStart":"1928-11-17","ServiceEnd":"1929-10-12".
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Minister for Home Affairs” FROM 5 JUL 1905 TO 12 OCT 1906 of Littleton Ernest Groom
"On 5 July 1905, Alfred Deakin appointed Groom minister for home affairs in the new Liberal Protectionist administration, revealing him as an energetic and forceful politician. … Groom’s championing of the expansion of Commonwealth activity led to clashes with the States, including disputes with New South Wales over the proposed Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics and the site for a Federal capital."
End date is the date of his promotion to attorney-general, given in the same entry as 12 October 1906. Portfolio scope from Wikipedia: "His department had a number of responsibilities, including oversight of the Commonwealth Public Service, public works, federal elections, and the siting of the national capital."
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Attorney-General of Australia” FROM 12 OCT 1906 TO NOV 1908 of Littleton Ernest Groom
"Promoted to attorney-general on 12 October 1906, he was, for the next two years, closely involved with most aspects of government policy. He defended new protection, introduced bounties legislation, helped enforce H. B. Higgins’s Harvester Judgement on a minimum wage (1907), attempted to control the operations of large trusts, and represented the Commonwealth in the High Court when its Excise Tariff (Agricultural Machinery) Act 1906 was challenged. Groom’s last major achievement during the Deakin administration was legislation to provide Commonwealth invalid and old-age pensions in 1908."
End date from Wikipedia: "In October 1906, Groom became Attorney General until the defeat of the Deakin government in November 1908."
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Minister for External Affairs” FROM 2 JUN 1909 TO 1910 of Littleton Ernest Groom
"One of only three Liberal Protectionists included in the Fusion government of 2 June 1909, he served for the next eleven months as minister for external affairs. Much of his legislation was blocked in the House, and even his High Commissioner Bill of 1909, which was ultimately successful in establishing Australian representation in London, received much criticism."
End date from Wikipedia: "Groom became Minister for External Affairs until the Fusion's defeat in the 1910 election."
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Vice-President of the Executive Council” FROM 16 NOV 1917 TO MAR 1918 of Littleton Ernest Groom
"From 17 February 1917, he served in the Nationalist government of William Morris Hughes as assistant minister for defence, until 16 November, when he became vice-president of the Executive Council. He was prominent in the conscription plebiscite of 1917."
End date from Wikipedia: "Groom was Vice-President of the Executive Council in Hughes's Nationalist government from November 1917 to March 1918".
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Minister for Works and Railways” FROM 27 MAR 1918 TO DEC 1921 of Littleton Ernest Groom
"As minister for works and railways from 27 March 1918, he pushed for a vigorous development program. He supervised increased Commonwealth involvement in the Murray waters conservation scheme and construction at Canberra where, according to Walter D. Bingle, secretary of the Department of Works and Railways, Groom was ‘the man who lifted the whole business out of the bog’"
End date from Wikipedia: "Works and Railways from March 1918 to December 1921".
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Attorney-General of Australia” FROM 21 DEC 1921 TO 18 DEC 1925 of Littleton Ernest Groom
"On 21 December 1921, Groom again became attorney-general, retaining the post for four years. … He presided over a new public service superannuation scheme and replaced the public service commissioner with a board of three. … During 1924 he served as leader of the Australian delegation to the fifth assembly of the League of Nations in Geneva. … Partly because of his handling of the latter case as well as a general dissatisfaction with his performance, Bruce demanded Groom’s resignation as attorney-general; this was proffered and took effect on 18 December."
The deportation proceedings are described in the same entry: "It was largely on his initiative that two Irish republican spokesmen were deported in 1923, and he participated in the unsuccessful attempt to deport two overseas-born leaders of the Australian Seamen’s Union during 1925."
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Title (KC)” 1923 of Littleton Ernest Groom
"He was appointed KC in 1923."
The post-nominal appears in the Parliamentary Handbook display name: "GROOM, the Hon. Sir Littleton Ernest, KCMG, KC".
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Speaker of the House of Representatives” FROM 13 JAN 1926 TO 12 OCT 1929 of Littleton Ernest Groom
"He was, nevertheless, elected on 13 January 1926, with no opposing candidates. … among his earliest tasks was supervision of the Commonwealth parliament’s move from Melbourne to Canberra … on 9 May 1927, he participated in the formal opening of Canberra’s first parliamentary session … Later that day Groom wrote to his wife of how he reminded the prime minister that the Nationalists had always stood by British traditions and that the impartiality of the Speaker was ‘most sacred.’ … At the critical division, the motion was carried by a single vote. On the prime minister’s advice, the governor-general dissolved the parliament and, at the election of 12 October 1929, the Bruce–Page government was heavily defeated."
Wikipedia adds that he was the first serving Speaker to lose his own seat: "Groom was eliminated on the first count, making him the first serving Speaker to lose his own seat at an election."
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
"Denied Nationalist endorsement for Darling Downs, Groom stood as an independent at the 1929 election. … Groom returned to the Bar in Brisbane but won back Darling Downs as an independent on 19 December 1931. He joined the United Australia Party in August 1933."
Wikipedia supplies the opponent and the committee: "Running again as an independent, he handily defeated his successor, Arthur Morgan." and "From 1932 to 1936 he was chairman of the Bankruptcy Legislation Committee". The end date is his death, given by the Parliamentary Handbook as "ServiceHistory_End":"1936-11-06".
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Buried” NOV 1936 of Littleton Ernest Groom
"He died in Canberra on 6 November 1936 of coronary vascular disease, survived by his wife and one of their two daughters. A well-attended funeral service was held at Parliament House and he was buried in the grounds of the Anglican Church of St John the Baptist, Reid."
No burial date is stated; NOV 1936 is taken from the date of death. The place is set to Canberra because the tree has no row for Reid, ACT; the church is named in the summary.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Occupation (Railway engineer and contractor)” FROM 1854 of Thomas McIlwraith
After mining at Bendigo he was a partner in Cornish & Bruce and profited from the Melbourne-Bendigo railway. In the railway department he worked as a surveyor and engineer on the Melbourne-Port and Geelong-Ballarat lines. In 1860 he was engaged by the contractor, J. V. A. Bruce, on the Melbourne-Bendigo railway which included the Big Hill tunnel. In a dispute with the Victorian government he represented his employers and attracted public attention.
Pre-political career in Victoria. End date left open: the entry does not date his withdrawal from contracting.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Occupation (Pastoralist)” FROM 1864 of Thomas McIlwraith
Meanwhile he had taken up eight runs in the Maranoa district of Queensland with his lifelong managing partner, Joseph C. Smyth. ... McIlwraith & Smyth, troubled by drought, breeding problems and low prices, lost some of their runs. In April 1869 his father urged him to transfer his investments to the family shipping business, but McIlwraith preferred to solve his problems by exchanging his sheep stations for cattle runs and by seeking more British and Melbourne capital. ... In the early 1880s he incorporated all but one of his many stations in the Darling Downs and Western Land Co., the North Australian Pastoral Co. and the Queensland Investment and Land Mortgage Co. to live as a financier and deploy his capital more flexibly.
The entry places the eight Maranoa runs alongside his 1864 Sandhurst candidature, hence FROM 1864; no closing date is given, so the period is left open.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
He advocated developmental railways and in 1869 told a sceptical audience in Roma that the west could not prosper without a railway to Roma. He was returned for Warrego in January 1870 in a by-election, resigned on 9 September 1871 because of business problems and was returned again for Maranoa on 25 November 1873.
Conflict not reconciled: Wikidata Q3525408 gives this term as 5 January 1870 to 8 August 1871. The signed ADB entry is followed here.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
He was returned for Warrego in January 1870 in a by-election, resigned on 9 September 1871 because of business problems and was returned again for Maranoa on 25 November 1873. His campaign for a trunk railway to Roma led to his appointment as secretary for public works and mines on 8 January 1874. ... In the general election of November 1878 McIlwraith won the new seat of Mulgrave and as colonial treasurer formed his first government on 21 January 1879.
Closing date inferred from his move to the new seat of Mulgrave at the November 1878 general election.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Secretary for Public Works and Mines, Queensland” FROM 8 JAN 1874 TO 1874 of Thomas McIlwraith
His campaign for a trunk railway to Roma led to his appointment as secretary for public works and mines on 8 January 1874. Soon afterwards Samuel Griffith became attorney-general; their disagreement about railway, land and education policies foreshadowed a rivalry which dominated Queensland politics till 1892. ... McIlwraith first proposed a land-grant railway from Roma to the Gulf of Carpentaria when minister for works in the 1874 Macalister government and elaborated it when premier in 1881. The first enabled Griffith to force him out of office ... McIlwraith's ideas on public finance were adopted within five years but he lost the works portfolio in 1874.
The English Wikipedia article dates his resignation from the portfolio to October 1874; the ADB gives only the year.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
In the general election of November 1878 McIlwraith won the new seat of Mulgrave and as colonial treasurer formed his first government on 21 January 1879. ... His following was reduced to eighteen and Griffith became premier in November. McIlwraith then revisited England. ... Faced by temporary business difficulties, he retired from politics in June 1886.
Wikidata gives the term as 21 November 1878 to 5 June 1886, consistent with the ADB at month precision.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Premier of Queensland” FROM 21 JAN 1879 TO NOV 1883 of Thomas McIlwraith
In the general election of November 1878 McIlwraith won the new seat of Mulgrave and as colonial treasurer formed his first government on 21 January 1879. ... His Divisional Boards Act of 1879, the most comprehensive in Australia, gave local governments unparalleled autonomy but forced rural areas to assume the financial burden of local works. ... However, his railway policy meant that Queensland built more trunk lines than any other colony. These developments, pursued both by the government and the adventurous Queensland National Bank in which McIlwraith was deeply involved, helped to attract £12,500,000 of private investment as well as large government loans and 26,685 immigrants in 1883. ... He lost his squatting supporters in the 1883 election by insisting on a land-grant railway from Charleville to the Gulf of Carpentaria and antagonized the working class by proposing to introduce Indian coolies for sugar plantations. His following was reduced to eighteen and Griffith became premier in November.
First premiership. Wikidata gives the exact end as 13 November 1883; the ADB gives only the month, which is used here.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Colonial Treasurer of Queensland” FROM 21 JAN 1879 TO JAN 1882 of Thomas McIlwraith
In the general election of November 1878 McIlwraith won the new seat of Mulgrave and as colonial treasurer formed his first government on 21 January 1879. He promised to raise capital for trunk lines west from Brisbane, Rockhampton and Townsville. In January 1882 when Palmer resigned as colonial secretary, McIlwraith passed the Treasury to Archibald Archer and became colonial secretary himself. ... Even the seasons smiled on him and when he visited London from October 1879 to June 1880 he was lionized. His objects were to investigate the agent-general's office, to fix a loan figure, to negotiate with a cable company and to finalize railway and shipping contracts.
First term as colonial treasurer, held concurrently with the premiership.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Colonial Secretary of Queensland” FROM JAN 1882 TO NOV 1883 of Thomas McIlwraith
In January 1882 when Palmer resigned as colonial secretary, McIlwraith passed the Treasury to Archibald Archer and became colonial secretary himself. ... His following was reduced to eighteen and Griffith became premier in November.
Closing date taken from the fall of his ministry in November 1883.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Title (KCMG)” 1882 of Thomas McIlwraith
He was appointed K.C.M.G. in 1882 and his repute revived in the nationalist fervour generated by his abortive annexation of eastern New Guinea in 1883.
Wikidata records the award received as 'Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George'; the English Wikipedia article states 'In 1882 he was knighted.'
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Premier of Queensland” FROM 13 JUN 1888 TO 30 NOV 1888 of Thomas McIlwraith
At the general election of May 1888 McIlwraith won North Brisbane and led a new National party to victory. He sought in vain to discredit the first Labor member, Thomas Glassey, and in September emerged victorious from a constitutional battle with Governor Musgrave over the prerogative of mercy. By November ill health had forced him to resign the premiership to B. D. Morehead. After a trip to Japan he quarrelled with his colleagues about William Pattison's undue influence and on 14 September 1889 resigned from the ministry.
Supplies the substance of the second premiership.
Australian Dictionary of Biography · National Centre of Biography, Australian National University
For “Colonial Treasurer of Queensland” FROM AUG 1890 TO MAR 1893 of Thomas McIlwraith
Unable to remain long on the back benches, he astounded everyone in August 1890 by joining his old enemy Griffith as colonial treasurer in what was called 'the Griffilwraith' coalition. ... McIlwraith represented Queensland at the National Convention in 1891 but he favoured only a limited form of Federation and in 1900 advised Queensland without success to abstain. ... Griffith took his place and McIlwraith became premier in March 1893.
Second term as colonial treasurer, in the Griffith coalition ministry. Wikidata gives the term as 12 August 1890 to 27 March 1893.