21 Facts About Richard Dry

Sir Richard Dry, KCMG was an Australian politician, the son of United Irish convict, who was Premier of Tasmania from 24 November 1866 until 1 August 1869 when he died in office.

The elder Richard Dry had been transported from Ireland in advance of the 1798 rebellion.

Richard Dry was educated at a Kirkland's private school in Campbell Town.

Richard Dry was a close friend of the diarist Anna Baxter who was the wife of the recently arrived British Lieutenant Andrew Baxter in the 1830s.

In 1835 Richard Dry voyaged to Mauritius and the British ports in India, on his return to Tasmania he managed his father's 30,000-acre Quamby Estate near Hagley which he inherited on this death in 1843.

Stephen Richard Dry, was reportedly speared by an aboriginal on a hill near Hagley.

In 1837, Richard Dry was made a magistrate and, in 1844, Lieutenant-Governor Sir John Eardley-Wilmot nominated Richard Dry a non-official member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council.

Richard Dry resigned his seat with five others, who together became known as the "patriotic six", after a conflict with Governor Wilmot over the Wilmont's refusal acknowledge the cost to the colony of the convict system which caused free labour to leave and his use of casting vote in the Council to block inquiries and secure his budget.

In 1848 the six resigning members were re-nominated to the Council, and when the Council was reconstituted in 1851 Richard Dry, who was then a leading member of the Anti-transportation League, was elected as a member for Launceston, defeating Adye Douglas.

Richard Dry then took a long trip to Europe for health reasons.

Richard Dry returned to Tasmania in 1860, was elected to the Legislative Council in 1862, and on 24 November 1866 became premier and colonial secretary.

Richard Dry had been much interested in the introduction of railways, was chairman of the Launceston and Deloraine Railway Association, and president of the Northern Railway League.

Richard Dry's government succeeded in making some economies, introduced the Torrens real property act, and pushed the sale of crown lands.

In 1869 Richard Dry's government established telegraphic communication with Victoria by laying a cable under Bass Strait.

On 1 August 1869 Richard Dry died in Hobart, Tasmania after a short illness.

Richard Dry was buried at St Mary's Anglican church in Hagley, which he had endowed.

Richard Dry was knighted in 1858, the first Tasmanian to be granted that honour.

Richard Dry was the first native of Tasmania to enter its parliament.

Richard Dry was barely 30 when his fight for political freedom made him extremely popular, and he retained this popularity all his life.

Richard Dry declared a wish that he might be buried at Hagley church near Quamby; a church he had himself built and endowed.

The "Richard Dry Scholarship" was founded by public subscription in connexion with the Tasmanian scholarships.