Order of the Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George awarded to Sir Henry Parkes
R & S Garrard & Co. Goldsmiths & Jewellers To The
Crown, London
SAFE / DR 150
SAFE / DR 151
Sir William Dixson bequest, 1952
For
a man born into poverty and with little formal education, Henry Parkes (1815–1896)
achieved great things in his life as evidenced by this regalia. Founded in
1818, the British Monarchy awards this Order to men and women of high office,
or who render extraordinary or important non-military service in a foreign
country.
Parkes
arrived in Sydney in 1839 as a poor 24-year-old migrant from England with his
young wife and newborn child and continued to fight poverty and ill health for
the rest of his life. He also managed to become the largest figure of
nineteenth century Australian politics, being one of the most influential
advocates for the federation of the Australian colonies.
Parkes Ministry of 1877–1889
Henry Parkes served as Premier of the colony of NSW on five separate occasions from 1872 to 1891, from the age of 57 to 76. He was one of the most influential advocates for the federation of the Australian colonies, but unfortunately died five years before Australia celebrated Federation in 1901.
This cartoon includes politicians: William Foster, John Fitzgerald Burns, Thomas Garrett, Francis Abigail, John Sutherland, Andrew Inglis, William Clarke, and CJ Roberts.
Candlestick maker
The
Library also holds a pair of turned boxwood and ivory candlesticks made by
Henry Parkes around 1831during his apprenticeship to John Holding, bone and ivory turner in Birmingham,
England.
Alfred Deakin on Henry Parkes
By Alfred Deakin
' ... though not rich or versatile, his
personality was massive, durable and imposing, resting upon elementary
qualities of human nature elevated by a strong mind. He was cast in the mould
of a great man and though he suffered from numerous pettinesses, spites and
failings, he was in himself a large-brained self-educated Titan whose natural
field was found in Parliament and whose resources of character and intellect
enabled him in his later years to overshadow all his contemporaries.'
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