Sir William John Lyne

Premier & Colonial Treasurer 15.9.1899 - 20.3.1901
(Lyne Ministry No.29  14.9.1899 - 27.3.1901)

Born Apslawn Tasmania, 6 April 1844, son of John, farmer and later Tasmanian MHA, and Lillias Hume.

Privately educated, pastoralist in Queensland and New South Wales. 

Moved to Albury, NSW in 1875 as pastoralist, and squatting in central NSW.  A hardened bushman, bearded, 6’2” tall, he had an impressive physical presence. 

Member Federal Convention 1897-1898, and member of its Finance Committee, argued that NSW would be disadvantaged.  Opposed acceptance in 1898 and 1899 Referendum. 

Member for The Hume 1880-1901.  Premier and Colonial Treasurer 1899-1901.  Federal member for Hume 1901-1913, Federal Treasurer 1907-1908 ‘a crude, sleek, suspicious, blundering short-sighted, back-blocks politician.’  ‘a great personality, courageous’ (Deakin).

Father, brother and uncle members of Tasmanian House of Assembly.

Married Martha Coates Shaw 1870 and in 1912 Sarah Jane Holden.

Died 3 August 1913 in Double Bay, Sydney, buried at South Head Cemetery with Anglican rites.  His estate was sworn for probate at £17,862.