Ernest Frederick Burns Blyth (11 July 1872 – 1 November 1933) was an Australian politician in Tasmania.

Early life and marriage edit

Ernest was born in 1872 to schoolteacher William Crowther Blyth and Mary Ann (née Burns) of Honeywood,[1] in the Huon district. Within a handful of years the family moved to Campbell Town where his father was appointed head teacher and stayed there for over 20 years. From a young age Ernest had a literary interest, winning prizes for poetry, or being noted for his care when looking after books.[2][3]

Ernest Blyth married Jessie Chepmell in Hobart on 14 April 1903.[4] Over the next few years a few children were born to the couple, Blyth working as an estate manager at the "Armistead" property at Kimberley.[5]

Political career edit

In 1913 he was elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly as a Liberal member for Wilmot. A Nationalist from 1917, he joined the Country Party in 1922. He was appointed Minister for Lands and Mines, Soldier Settlement in August that year,[6] In June 1923 there was a Cabinet re-shuffle and Blyth was appointed Chief Secretary and Minister for Mines.[7]

Blyth was defeated in 1925, an electoral boundary change affecting his chances, and his time to conduct his campaign being affected by family bereavements.[8]

Later life and death edit

He died at home at Kimberley in 1933.[9][10]

References edit

  1. ^ https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD33-1-50p572j2k RGD33/1/50 number 518
  2. ^ "Campbell Town Public School". The Tasmanian. Vol. XII, no. 52. Tasmania, Australia. 29 December 1883. p. 1498. Retrieved 2 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Campbell Town". Launceston Examiner. Vol. XLVII, no. 302. Tasmania, Australia. 24 December 1887. p. 3. Retrieved 2 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Family Notices". The Mercury. Vol. LXXIX, no. 10, 368. Tasmania, Australia. 6 June 1903. p. 1. Retrieved 2 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Advertising". The North West Post. No. 6056. Tasmania, Australia. 4 June 1913. p. 4. Retrieved 2 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Minister for Lands". Daily Telegraph. Vol. XLII, no. 194. Tasmania, Australia. 16 August 1922. p. 4. Retrieved 2 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "Exit Mr. M'Phee". The World. Vol. VII, no. 805. Tasmania, Australia. 7 June 1923. p. 3. Retrieved 2 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "Mr. E. F. Blyth". The Mercury. Vol. CXXII, no. 17, 977. Tasmania, Australia. 10 June 1925. p. 7. Retrieved 2 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "Blyth, Ernest Frederick Burns". Members of the Parliament of Tasmania. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  10. ^ "Obituary". The Examiner (Tasmania). Vol. XCII, no. 201. Tasmania, Australia. 2 November 1933. p. 6 (DAILY). Retrieved 2 July 2023 – via National Library of Australia.