Edward Hamilton (Australian politician) explained

Edward Angus Hamilton (born 27 February 1831) was an architect and politician in colonial South Australia.[1]

Hamilton was the son of George Ernest Hamilton, a civil engineer, and arrived in South Australia on 5 December 1849.[2] In April 1852 he began Government service at the Assay Office, where remained until June 1853. Hamilton was then appointed Assistant to the Colonial Architect of South Australia, William Bennett Hays.[2] By January 1854 he had been appointed Assistant Architect in the Colonial Architect's Office. When Hays left for England towards the end of 1854, Hamilton was placed in charge.[2] On 10 July 1856 Hamilton was appointed Colonial Architect and Supervisor of Works[2] with a salary of £450 per annum and a £112 gratuity.[3]

Hamilton married Ellen Seymour in 1856.[2] He resigned as Colonial Architect around August 1860.[3]

Hamilton and his father were involved in constructing the Kadina to Wallaroo railway, completed in 1866.[4] Their partnership was dissolved later in 1866 when George was appointed to the Strathalbyn and Middleton Railway.

In 1866 Hamilton joined the architectural firm of Wright & Woods (with Edmund Wright and E. J. Woods),[5] which he left in 1868 to become second-in-charge of the Colonial Architect's Department.

Hamilton was elected a member of the South Australian House of Assembly for the District of Light on 5 April 1870, served as Treasurer of South Australia from 12 May 1870 to 30 May 1870 and resigned a year later, unmourned,[6] on 28 July 1871,[1] and reportedly left the colony for South America.[3]

Works

Hamilton designed the present (Anglican) St George's Church in Gawler in Early English style. The foundation stone was laid on 6 January 1858 but the building was not consecrated until 23 April 1895 (by Bishop Kennion), initially due to the church trustees not accepting the Model Trust Deed.[7]

He collaborated with Edmund Wright on the design of two prominent Adelaide buildings:[5]

Notes and References

  1. 3711 . Mr Edward Hamilton . yes . 19 August 2022.
  2. Web site: Hamilton, Edward Angus . Architects Database . University of South Australia.
  3. News: Digging up the Past . Adelaide . 15 November 1924 . 25 August 2014 . 10 . Trove . The Register.
  4. News: Opening of the Wallaroo Railway. . . Adelaide . 14 July 1866 . 14 August 2014 . 7 . Trove.
  5. Web site: Architect Personal Details: Wright, Edmund William. Architects of South Australia . . 2008 . Christine . Sullivan. 14 April 2024.
  6. News: The Kapunda Herald. . . S.A. . 21 April 1871 . 15 August 2014 . 2 . Trove.
  7. News: St. George's Church, Gawler . . South Australia . 1 May 1874 . 12 December 2019 . 4 . Trove .