Matilda Lemmon (1841–1938)
This article was published:
- in the Biographical Register of the Australian Labour Movement, 1788-1975
- online in 2023
Matilda Lemmon, née Thompson (1841-1938) Labor activist
Birth: 22 September 1841 at Coleraine, Ireland, daughter of John Thompson (1810-1876), schoolmaster, and Annabella, née McGrath (1811-1871). Marriage: 23 May 1861 at Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria, to Samuel Lambert Lemmon (1832-1902) a timberworker, born in Londonderry, Ireland. They had seven daughters and three sons, one of whom John Lemmon was a Labor politician. Death: 25 August 1938 at Preston, Melbourne. Religion: Presbyterian.
- Arrived in Melbourne aboard the Wanata with parents and siblings on 4 October 1854.
- Known as the 'mother of Trades Hall', Melbourne, associated with the Trades Hall for more than 50 years, succeeding her husband as caretaker in 1902.
- Cause of death: broncho-pneumonia, myocarditis and heart failure.
- Funeral in 1938 was attended by leading members of the Victorian labour movement including John Cain, Australian Labor Party State leader. She was then 'one of the oldest links in the Victorian Labor Movement'.
Sources
Obituary Labor Call (Melbourne), 1 September 1938, p 9.
Additional Resources
- funeral, Argus (Melbourne), 29 August 1938, p 9
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Lemmon, Matilda
- Lemmon, Samuel Lambert (husband)
- Lemmon, John (son)
- De Gruchy, John (son-in-law)
- Lemmon, Nelson (grandson)
Citation details
'Lemmon, Matilda (1841–1938)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/lemmon-matilda-33333/text41620, accessed 20 April 2024.
Life Summary [details]
Alternative Names
- Thompson, Matilda
Birth
22 September,
1841
Coleraine,
Londonderry,
Ireland
Death
25 August,
1938
(aged 96)
Preston, Melbourne,
Victoria,
Australia
Cause of Death
Cultural Heritage
Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.
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.