18 Facts About William Propsting

William Propsting served as premier of Tasmania from 1903 to 1904.

William Propsting was a member of the parliament of Tasmania for over 35 years and served terms as Attorney-General of Tasmania and president of the Tasmanian Legislative Council.

William Propsting was the son of Hannah and Henry Propsting.

William Propsting's father had been transported to Van Diemen's Land as a convict in 1831 for stealing geese.

William Propsting went on to become a successful merchant and an alderman of the City of Hobart, reputedly fathering 26 children.

William Propsting moved to South Australia in 1879 and began working as a pupil-teacher.

William Propsting attended the Teachers' Training College and University of Adelaide.

William Propsting subsequently taught at the Sturt Street School in Adelaide and the state schools in Kapunda and Burra.

In February 1899 Propsting entered politics as member for Hobart in the Tasmanian House of Assembly, and in August 1901 was elected leader of the opposition.

William Propsting became premier and treasurer on 9 April 1903, his party being known as the liberal democratic party.

William Propsting succeeded in re-organising the education department and established a training college at Hobart, but most of his party's attempts to bring in democratic legislation were blocked by the Tasmanian Legislative Council.

William Propsting resigned on 11 July 1904 and was leader of the opposition until December 1905.

William Propsting was then elected a member of the legislative council, and in May 1906 joined the Sir John W Evans ministry as attorney-general and minister for education.

From April 1916 to August 1922 Propsting was attorney-general and minister for railways in Sir W H Lee's ministry, and was attorney-general in the Hayes ministry which succeeded it until August 1923.

William Propsting was elected president of the legislative council in July 1926 and held this position with distinction until his death at Hobart on 3 December 1937.

In 1893, William Propsting married Caroline Emma Coles, the daughter of South Australian politician Sir Jenkin Coles, despite her father's initial disapproval.

William Propsting was widowed in 1923 and remarried in 1925 to Lilias Macfarlane.

William Propsting died at his home in Hobart on 3 December 1937, aged 76.