15 Facts About Frederick Barlee

Frederick Barlee was born in Worlingworth, Suffolk, England on 6 February 1827.

Frederick Barlee was educated privately and at local schools, and in 1845 he entered the public service as a clerk to the Ordnance Department in Chatham and Woolwich.

In 1855, Kennedy was appointed Governor of Western Australia, and he arranged for Barlee to be appointed Colonial Secretary.

Kennedy's reforms were unpopular, and Frederick Barlee made numerous enemies during this time.

From January 1856 to March 1857, Frederick Barlee was Acting Commissioner of Police.

In 1862, Governor Kennedy was succeeded by Governor John Hampton, and Frederick Barlee returned to a position of influence.

Weld and Frederick Barlee shared an enthusiasm for representative government, and together they worked to promote it.

Under the new system of government, Frederick Barlee became the most powerful person in the colony other than Weld himself.

In 1873, Frederick Barlee began to work for early achievement of responsible government.

Frederick Barlee, perhaps anticipating a transfer, took long service leave and left for England in July 1875.

Frederick Barlee remained nominal colonial secretary for another eighteen months, and intended to return to the position unless he was offered a better appointment elsewhere.

Frederick Barlee was made KCMG in 1883, but had to wait until April 1884 for his next posting, as Administrator of Trinidad.

Frederick Barlee arrived at Port of Spain, Trinidad and took up his appointment in June 1884, but died from asthma just seven weeks later on 8 August 1884.

Frederick Barlee had married in 1851, Jane, daughter of Edward John Oseland, of Coleraine, Ireland, who survived him.

Frederick Barlee was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1878.