1. John See was well regarded by both sides of politics, for Labour politicians judged that the establishment of the State clothing factory during his administration had a great influence in abolishing sweating, and that the right to women to vote for New South Wales parliament, although not to stand for it, was introduced.
The governor of New South Wales at the time of his Premiership, the 7th Earl of Beauchamp, privately judged John See to be "a self made man of good heart but a most pushing and disagreeable manner".
John See was the son of Joseph John See, a farm-labourer, and his wife Mary Ann nee Bailey, and was born in Yelling, Huntingdon, England.
John See was brought to Australia in 1852 by his parents who settled on the Hunter River in New South Wales.
John See became a partner in a small coastal shipping company, Nipper and See, which was afterwards floated into a company, as the North Coast Steam Navigation Company.
John See was a shrewd investor and became very well known in business circles in Sydney.
John See became a director of several well-known companies, a trustee of the Savings Bank of New South Wales, and president of the Royal Agricultural Society.
John See acquired property throughout the state, including Yester Grange.
John See entered politics in 1880 as member for Grafton and remained its member until he retired in 1904.
John See was not in office again until October 1891 when he became for nearly three years Colonial Treasurer in the third Dibbs ministry.
John See was in charge of the bill which brought in the first protectionist tariff in New South Wales.
From August 1894 until September 1899, George Reid was in power, but when William Lyne came in, John See was his Colonial Secretary.
On Lyne transferring to federal politics in March 1901, John See became Premier and held office until 1904.
John See's government passed the Industrial Arbitration Act in 1901 and the Female Suffrage Act in 1902.
John See accepted a seat in the Legislative Council, but was unable afterwards to exercise much influence in politics.
John See fathered ten children and was survived by four daughters and three sons.
John Charles Matthews See is named here, after he died in 1932.
John See was created Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1902.