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Henry Elisha (Harry) Beard (1866–1910)

This article was published:

Harry Beard, 190?, by T. Humphrey & Co.

Harry Beard, 190?, by T. Humphrey & Co.

National Library of Australia, 23182829

Henry Elisha ‘Harry’ Beard (1866-1910) bricklayer, member of parliament 

Birth: 20 January 1866 in Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria, son of Elisha Beard, bricklayer, and Sarah née Rivington. Marriage: 5 June 1899 in Christ Church, Geelong, Victoria, to Mary Lilian Humphrey. They had two sons and two daughters. Death: 18 December 1910 in a private hospital at Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria. Religion: Anglican. 

  • In 1877 went with family to New Zealand, where educated at secondary level Christchurch; began medical course University of Christchurch, but withdrew due to lack of money. From 1884 a bricklayer in Auckland.
  • Returned to Melbourne 1889; to Euroa, Victoria, 1896-98. After 1898 lectured on socialism in Melbourne.
  • President, Victorian Operative Bricklayers’ Society. Trades Hall Council delegate. Founding member and Central Council member of the Political Labor League. President, Victorian Political Labour Council, 1910.
  • Labor member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Jika Jika 1904-1907 (defeated). Contested Port Melbourne 1902, East Bourke 1902 and Jika Jika 1908.
  • Following defeat worked as ganger with Victorian Railways; rose to rank of inspector.
  • Member of the Australian House of Representatives as Labor member for Batman April-December 1910
  • Died of cystitis and asthenia.

Sources
Geoff Brown, Biographical register of the Victorian Parliament, 1900-84 (Melbourne, 1985)

Additional Resources

  • profile, Tocsin (Melbourne), 17 July 1910, p 3

Related Entries in NCB Sites

Citation details

'Beard, Henry Elisha (Harry) (1866–1910)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/beard-henry-elisha-harry-32099/text39665, accessed 29 March 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Harry Beard, 190?, by T. Humphrey & Co.

Harry Beard, 190?, by T. Humphrey & Co.

National Library of Australia, 23182829

Life Summary [details]

Birth

20 January, 1866
Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Death

18 December, 1910 (aged 44)
Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Cause of Death

urinary tract infection

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation
Key Organisations
Political Activism
Workplaces