Robert Herbertson (1852–1940) was a politician in Queensland, Australia. He was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.[1]

Robert Herbertson
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
for Port Curtis
In office
27 August 1904 – 2 October 1909
Preceded byJason Boles
Succeeded byEdward Breslin
Personal details
Born
Robert Herbertson

(1852-01-04)4 January 1852
Hobart, Van Diemen's Land
Died1 March 1940(1940-03-01) (aged 88)
Ormiston, Queensland, Australia
NationalityAustralian
Political partyMinisterialist
Other political
affiliations
Opposition
SpouseMary Hannah Brear (née Clunes)
OccupationMiner, publican

Early life edit

Robert Herberston was born on 4 January 1852 in Hobart, Van Diemen's Land, the son of Andrew Herbertson and Christiana (née Stewart).[2] His father was a horticulturalist and Superintendent of the Government Gardens, later the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, under Sir John Franklin, (a Governor of Tasmania). His mother was attendant to Lady Jane Franklin and accompanied Lady Franklin on travels to South Australia, New Zealand and Macquarie Harbour. Herbertson was educated in Hobart.[1]

At age 17 he went to the Colony of Victoria to try his luck on the goldfields. Later he went to Melbourne, where after managing a brick and tile company, he became a public works contractor.[1] In 1878–1879 he was one of ten expeditioners who undertook an ill-fated search for gold in New Guinea; he maintained a diary throughout the trip.[3][4]

Acting upon medical advice, he came to Queensland, and for a time ran a hotel in Gladstone. He also was a mining investor and a sawmiller.[1]

Politics edit

Herbertson took a keen interest in local affairs and was for some years an alderman of Gladstone and served as mayor for one term. He was also a member of the Calliope Shire Council, where he was twice chairman.[1]

Herbertson was elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly on 27 August 1904 as the Member for Port Curtis. He held the seat until 2 October 1909, when he was defeated by Edward Breslin.[5][6]

Later life edit

Herbertson died on 1 March 1940 in Ormiston, Queensland where he had lived for many years. He was 88 years old.[1][2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Mr. R. Herbertson Dies at 88: Former Mayor of Gladstone". The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 – 1947) (SPORTS FINAL ed.). Brisbane. 2 March 1940. p. 6. Retrieved 21 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ a b "Former Members Bio". www.parliament.qld.gov.au. Queensland Parliament. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  3. ^ "Sketcher". The Queenslander. 5 November 1921. p. 11. Retrieved 22 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "AN ADVENTUROUS VOYAGE". The Brisbane Courier. 5 November 1921. p. 12. Retrieved 22 November 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Part 2.15 – Alphabetical Register of Members of the Legislative Assembly 1860–2017 and the Legislative Council 1860–1922" (PDF). Queensland Parliamentary Record 2015–2017: The 55th Parliament. Queensland Parliament. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ "Representatives of Queensland State Electorates 1860-2017" (PDF). Queensland Parliamentary Record 2012-2017: The 55th Parliament. Queensland Parliament. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 April 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2015.

Further reading edit

  • Herbertson, Robert (1878), Diary, retrieved 22 November 2015 – diary of the New Guinea expedition
Parliament of Queensland
Preceded by Member for Port Curtis
1904–1909
Succeeded by