Frederick Thomas Sargood
Encyclopedia
Sir Frederick Thomas Sargood KCMG, (30 May 1834 – 2 January 1903) was an Australia
n politician, Minister of Defence and Education in the Government of Victoria
1890–1892 and Senator in the Australian Senate
1901–03.
, London
, the eldest child of Frederick James Sargood (later a member of the old Victorian Legislative Council
), and Emma, daughter of Thomas Rippon, Chief Cashier
of the Bank of England
. F. T. Sargood was educated at private schools and arrived with his family aboard the Clifton in Melbourne
on 12 February 1850. He initially worked as a clerk in the Public Works Department, but in 1851 joined his father's softgoods business,Sargood, King & Co., and in 1859 became a junior partner in it. In the same year he joined the Victorian volunteer artillery as a private
and eventually reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He also took an interest in rifle shooting. In 1858 Sargood married Marian Australia, daughter of George Rolfe, later a politician.
by winning a by-election for Central Province, and in 1875 he became the first chairman of the Melbourne Harbour Trust. Sargood was a commissioner of savings banks in 1874-80. Sargood's wife Marian died in chidbirth on 6 January 1880, he resigned from the council and visited England later the same year with his nine children. Sargood was appointed a delegate by the Victorian government to represent the colony before the Imperial Commission for the protection of British possessions abroad. Sargood married Julia Tomlin on 2 December 1880 on the Isle of Wight
and returned to Melbourne in 1882.
Sargood held the Legislative Council seat of South Yarra in 1882-1901. In March 1883 Sargood became an Honorary Minister in the James Service
government. In the same year when the Defence Department was formed, he was the first Minister of Defence, and carried through the reorganization of the defences which involved the changeover from volunteer to militia forces. Rifle clubs were formed and the important cadet corps movement for schoolboys was also due to Sargood's efforts. In 1885 he took the additional portfolio of Minister of Water-supply, and held both positions until the resignation of the ministry in February 1886. He was appointed Vice-President of the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition of 1888 and subsequently Executive Vice-President and Treasurer. Sargood was also president of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce 1886–1888, and his name stood very high in the business world. When he joined his father's business it was a comparatively small one, but now under the name of Sargood Butler and Nichol it had become one of the largest in Australia, with branches in other cities. It was subsequently extended to New Zealand
and before Sargood's death the number of employees was over 5000. When William Hearn
died in 1888, Sargood became Leader of the Legislative Council, in which position he examined all bills coming from the Legislative Assembly
and showed much critical ability. He joined the James Munro
ministry in November 1890 as Minister of Fefence and of Education, but withdrew when the ministry was reconstructed under William Shiels
in February 1892, because he was unable to agree with Shiels's adhesion to the "one man one vote" principle.
Although Sargood' political leanings were conservative, he had piloted the first Factories Act through the Council with skill, and in his own firm, the Saturday half-holiday had been brought in as far back as 1852. Sargood joined the George Turner
government in September 1894 as Minister of Defence, but about three months later again resigned on a question of principle. He again took up the position of Leader of the Council and had a prominent part in the Federation movement
. His views on the tariff prevented his being elected as one of the Victorian delegates to the 1897 convention, but at the first federal election in 1901 he was elected as one of the senators
for Victoria in spite of the opposition of the protectionist press. When the Senate met he was nominated for the position of President
which, however, went to Sir Richard Baker
by 21 votes to 12. Sargood, however, took a leading position in the Senate.
on 2 January 1903. He was the first serving Australian Senator to die. He was created Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
(CMG) in 1885 and was knighted KCMG in 1890. Lady Sargood survived him with five sons and four daughters of the first marriage, and one daughter of the second.
Sargood was prominently connected with many philanthropic and religious movements.
The Rippon Lea Estate
was originally built for Sargood in 1868.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n politician, Minister of Defence and Education in the Government of Victoria
Government of Victoria
The Government of Victoria, under the Constitution of Australia, ceded certain legislative and judicial powers to the Commonwealth, but retained complete independence in all other areas...
1890–1892 and Senator in the Australian Senate
Australian Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, the lower house being the House of Representatives. Senators are popularly elected under a system of proportional representation. Senators are elected for a term that is usually six years; after a double dissolution, however,...
1901–03.
Early life
Sargood was born in WalworthWalworth, London
Walworth is an inner-city district in the London Borough of Southwark. Walworth probably derives its name from the Old English "Wealhworth" which meant Welsh farm. It is located south east of Charing Cross and near to Camberwell and Elephant and Castle.The major streets in Walworth are the Old...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, the eldest child of Frederick James Sargood (later a member of the old Victorian Legislative Council
Victorian Legislative Council
The Victorian Legislative Council, is the upper of the two houses of the Parliament of Victoria, Australia; the lower house being the Legislative Assembly. Both houses sit in Parliament House in Spring Street, Melbourne. The Legislative Council serves as a house of review, in a similar fashion to...
), and Emma, daughter of Thomas Rippon, Chief Cashier
Chief Cashier
The Chief Cashier is the person responsible for issuing banknotes at the Bank of England and is the director of the divisions which provide the Bank of England's banking infrastructure. This person is known to the general public because since 1870 the Chief Cashier's signature is printed on all...
of the Bank of England
Bank of England
The Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom and the model on which most modern central banks have been based. Established in 1694, it is the second oldest central bank in the world...
. F. T. Sargood was educated at private schools and arrived with his family aboard the Clifton in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
on 12 February 1850. He initially worked as a clerk in the Public Works Department, but in 1851 joined his father's softgoods business,Sargood, King & Co., and in 1859 became a junior partner in it. In the same year he joined the Victorian volunteer artillery as a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
and eventually reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He also took an interest in rifle shooting. In 1858 Sargood married Marian Australia, daughter of George Rolfe, later a politician.
Political career
In May 1874 Sargood entered the Victorian Legislative CouncilVictorian Legislative Council
The Victorian Legislative Council, is the upper of the two houses of the Parliament of Victoria, Australia; the lower house being the Legislative Assembly. Both houses sit in Parliament House in Spring Street, Melbourne. The Legislative Council serves as a house of review, in a similar fashion to...
by winning a by-election for Central Province, and in 1875 he became the first chairman of the Melbourne Harbour Trust. Sargood was a commissioner of savings banks in 1874-80. Sargood's wife Marian died in chidbirth on 6 January 1880, he resigned from the council and visited England later the same year with his nine children. Sargood was appointed a delegate by the Victorian government to represent the colony before the Imperial Commission for the protection of British possessions abroad. Sargood married Julia Tomlin on 2 December 1880 on the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
and returned to Melbourne in 1882.
Sargood held the Legislative Council seat of South Yarra in 1882-1901. In March 1883 Sargood became an Honorary Minister in the James Service
James Service
James Service , Australian colonial politician, was the 12th Premier of Victoria, Australia.-Biography:Service was born in Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland, and as a young man worked in a Glasgow tea importing business, Thomas Corbett and Company...
government. In the same year when the Defence Department was formed, he was the first Minister of Defence, and carried through the reorganization of the defences which involved the changeover from volunteer to militia forces. Rifle clubs were formed and the important cadet corps movement for schoolboys was also due to Sargood's efforts. In 1885 he took the additional portfolio of Minister of Water-supply, and held both positions until the resignation of the ministry in February 1886. He was appointed Vice-President of the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition of 1888 and subsequently Executive Vice-President and Treasurer. Sargood was also president of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce 1886–1888, and his name stood very high in the business world. When he joined his father's business it was a comparatively small one, but now under the name of Sargood Butler and Nichol it had become one of the largest in Australia, with branches in other cities. It was subsequently extended to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and before Sargood's death the number of employees was over 5000. When William Hearn
William Hearn
William Edward Hearn , university professor and politician, was one of the four original professors at the University of Melbourne and was the first Dean of the University's Law School....
died in 1888, Sargood became Leader of the Legislative Council, in which position he examined all bills coming from the Legislative Assembly
Victorian Legislative Assembly
The Victorian Legislative Assembly is the lower house of the Parliament of Victoria in Australia. Together with the Victorian Legislative Council, the upper house, it sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Melbourne.-History:...
and showed much critical ability. He joined the James Munro
James Munro (Australian politician)
James Munro , Australian colonial politician, was the 15th Premier of Victoria.-Early life:James Munro was born in Armadale, Sutherland, Scotland, to Donald Munro and his wife, Georgina. James Munro's grandparents were an Alexander Munro of the family of Foulis, Ross-shire and Barbara Mackay, a...
ministry in November 1890 as Minister of Fefence and of Education, but withdrew when the ministry was reconstructed under William Shiels
William Shiels
William Shiels , Australian colonial politician, was the 16th Premier of Victoria.-Biography:Shiels was born in County Londonderry, Ireland of a Presbyterian family and arrived in Melbourne as a child in 1853...
in February 1892, because he was unable to agree with Shiels's adhesion to the "one man one vote" principle.
Although Sargood' political leanings were conservative, he had piloted the first Factories Act through the Council with skill, and in his own firm, the Saturday half-holiday had been brought in as far back as 1852. Sargood joined the George Turner
George Turner (Australian politician)
Sir George Turner, KCMG, PC , Australian politician, was the 18th Premier of Victoria and the first Treasurer of Australia in the federal Barton Ministry....
government in September 1894 as Minister of Defence, but about three months later again resigned on a question of principle. He again took up the position of Leader of the Council and had a prominent part in the Federation movement
Federation of Australia
The Federation of Australia was the process by which the six separate British self-governing colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia formed one nation...
. His views on the tariff prevented his being elected as one of the Victorian delegates to the 1897 convention, but at the first federal election in 1901 he was elected as one of the senators
Australian Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, the lower house being the House of Representatives. Senators are popularly elected under a system of proportional representation. Senators are elected for a term that is usually six years; after a double dissolution, however,...
for Victoria in spite of the opposition of the protectionist press. When the Senate met he was nominated for the position of President
President of the Australian Senate
The President of the Australian Senate is the presiding officer of the Australian Senate, the upper house of the Parliament of Australia. The presiding officer of the lower house is the Speaker of the House of Representatives....
which, however, went to Sir Richard Baker
Richard Baker (Australian politician)
Sir Richard Chaffey Baker KCMG was an Australian politician. A barrister by trade, he embarked on a successful career in South Australian colonial politics, serving as state attorney-general and President of the Legislative Council before switching to federal politics after federation...
by 21 votes to 12. Sargood, however, took a leading position in the Senate.
Late life and legacy
Sargood died suddenly while on a holiday in New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
on 2 January 1903. He was the first serving Australian Senator to die. He was created Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(CMG) in 1885 and was knighted KCMG in 1890. Lady Sargood survived him with five sons and four daughters of the first marriage, and one daughter of the second.
Sargood was prominently connected with many philanthropic and religious movements.
The Rippon Lea Estate
Rippon Lea Estate
Rippon Lea Estate is a historic property located in Elsternwick, Victoria, Australia. It is under the care of the National Trust of Australia.It was built in 1868 for Sir Frederick Sargood, a wealthy Melbourne businessman, politician and philanthropist...
was originally built for Sargood in 1868.