10 Facts About Frederick Innes

Frederick Maitland Innes was Premier of Tasmania from 4 November 1872 to 4 August 1873.

The son of Francis Innes, army officer, and his wife Prudence, nee Edgerleyan, Innes was born in Edinburgh, Scotland.

In 1836, Frederick Innes emigrated to Tasmania where he arrived in Hobart in 1837, joining the Hobart Town Courier.

Frederick Innes again went to Tasmania in 1843 and was associated with the Observer and other papers at Hobart.

Frederick Innes was colonial treasurer in four successive ministries, the first William Weston, the Francis Smith, the second Weston, and the Thomas Chapman, from 25 April 1857 to 1 November 1862, and colonial secretary from 1 November 1862 to 20 January 1863.

Frederick Innes had now become a member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council, in 1864 was elected chairman of committees, and from 1868 to 1872 president of the council.

Frederick Innes then resigned his seat and re-entered the house of assembly.

On 4 November 1872, allying himself with some members he had previously opposed, Frederick Innes became premier and colonial secretary until 4 August 1873, when the Alfred Kennerley ministry came in and Frederick Innes found himself isolated.

Frederick Innes then retired from the house of assembly, was elected to the legislative council in September 1877, and in 1880 was again made president of the council.

Frederick Innes, an able man of moderate views, was an excellent treasurer.