26 Facts About Robert Cosgrove

Sir Robert Cosgrove was an Australian politician who was the 30th and longest-serving Premier of Tasmania.

Robert Cosgrove held office for over 18 years, serving from 1939 to 1947 and from 1948 to 1958.

Robert Cosgrove was the fourth of eight children born to Mary Ann Hewitt and Michael Thomas Cosgrove; his father was born in Ireland.

Robert Cosgrove attended state schools in Campania, Sorell, and Richmond, before completing his education at St Mary's College, Hobart.

Robert Cosgrove was involved with the United Grocers' Union, the Shop Assistants' Union, and the Storemen's and Packers' Union.

Robert Cosgrove was defeated in 1922, re-elected in 1925, defeated again in 1931, and re-elected again in 1934.

Robert Cosgrove served for periods as state president of the Labor Party's organisation wing and whip of the parliamentary party.

Robert Cosgrove was appointed to the ministry in 1934, under Albert Ogilvie, with responsibility for agriculture, forests, and the Agricultural Bank of Tasmania.

Robert Cosgrove reorganised the Department of Agriculture and was popular in rural areas.

Robert Cosgrove was elected as his deputy, narrowly defeating Thomas D'Alton.

Robert Cosgrove served as state treasurer until December 1939, when he swapped portfolios with Dwyer-Gray.

Robert Cosgrove was minister administering the Hydro-Electric Commission Act for sixteen years between 1942 and 1958.

Robert Cosgrove appointed himself Minister for Education in 1948, and oversaw "an extensive school-building programme".

Robert Cosgrove led his party to a significant victory at the 1941 state election, which saw Labor win 20 out of 30 seats.

Robert Cosgrove was able to remain premier, but the following year one of his ministers, Carrol Bramich, defected to the Liberals.

Robert Cosgrove called an early election, and won back one of the Liberals' seat to revert to the status quo of 15 seats each.

In December 1947, Robert Cosgrove was indicted on charges of bribery and corruption.

Robert Cosgrove stood down as Premier during his trial, and longtime minister Edward Brooker was sworn in as his replacement on 19 December 1947.

Brooker stood down and Robert Cosgrove was reinstated, appointing Brooker as Treasurer and Minister for Transport.

Robert Cosgrove fell ill in July 1958, and underwent surgery in Melbourne.

Robert Cosgrove retired as premier on 25 August 1958, at the age of 73, and was replaced by his long-serving deputy Eric Reece, who kept Labor in power until 1969.

Robert Cosgrove was premier for 18 years and six months, the longest service in Tasmanian history.

In 1959, Robert Cosgrove was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, one of the few Labor politicians to accept a knighthood.

Robert Cosgrove was chairman of the Tasmanian Tourist Council and of the Southern Tasmanian Trotting Association.

Robert Cosgrove was a member of the council of the University of Tasmania and of the local branch of the St Vincent de Paul Society, and president of the Royal Hobart Golf Club.

Robert Cosgrove was granted a state funeral and was buried at Cornelian Bay Cemetery.