1. Thomas George Gregson was the second Premier of Tasmania, serving from 26 February 1857 until 25 April 1857.
16 Facts About Thomas Gregson
1. 2.
Gregson was born in Buckton, Northumberland, England, the son of John Gregson who was the nephew of Anthony Gregson, Snr.
3.
John Thomas Gregson possibly lived at Lowlynn with his family but was not the landowner of that estate.
4.
Thomas Gregson was educated in Edinburgh and migrated to Van Diemen's Land, in 1821 with his wife as the result of the family differences.
5.
Thomas Gregson was made a magistrate and in 1825 was assisting Andrew Bent in his conflict with Governor Arthur for the liberty of the press.
6.
In July 1842 Thomas Gregson became a member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council, and three years later led the opposition to the governor, Sir Eardley-Wilmot, in his attempt to raise the import duties.
7.
The six members became known as "the patriotic six" and Thomas Gregson was presented by the colonists with two thousand guineas and a piece of plate.
8.
On 14 February 1857 Thomas Gregson moved and carried a motion in favour of reductions in the salaries of the governor, colonial secretary, colonial treasurer and attorney-general.
9.
The William Champ ministry resigned and Thomas Gregson became premier and colonial secretary.
10.
Thomas Gregson was never in office again, though often a turbulent critic of other administrations.
11.
Thomas Gregson retired from parliament not long before his death at Risdon on 4 January 1874.
12.
Thomas Gregson was survived by his wife and two spinster daughters; a son John Compton Gregson was a Hobart barrister and attorney-general in the Gregson cabinet.
13.
Thomas Gregson was an amateur artist and exhibited at the first art exhibitions held in Hobart in 1845 and 1846.
14.
Thomas Gregson is represented in the Beattie collection at Launceston by a sketch of the Rev Robert Knopwood on his white horse.
15.
Thomas Gregson worked hard for the good of the colony to the neglect of his own interests for he died comparatively poor.
16.
Thomas Gregson was particularly important as a reformer in his early days, fighting for the liberty of the press, for trial by jury, and the abolishment of penal transportation.