ames Patrick Garvan, (1843-1896). insurance entrepreneur and poli- Ptician, was born on 2nd May, 1843, at Cappagh, Co. Limerick, son of Denis Bourke Garvan, civil servant, and his wife Anne, nee Culhane. In. 1847 he cess in business with a notable share in ence in the lively Sydney visit of Wil- migrated to Sydney with his family. sport and public activity through Irish- liam and John Redmond in 1883 and, Educated at John Armstrong's School colonial societies. In the 1860s he had by 1885, his tolerance and rationality, in Redfern and Creagh's Elizabeth been a competitive sculler and amateur revealed as chairman of St. Patrick's Street School, he won a scholarship to heavyweight boxer and held the Day celebrations, helped to allay rising Sydney Grammer School in 1858, but record throw of 121 yards 1 foot with a racialism and sectarianism. He became left when his father died In 1860. Next cricket ball. Next decade he was vice- a leading parliamentarian and year he became an assistant clerk in the president of the National Regatta and specialized in informed criticism of survey department of the Sydney umpire of championship rowing on the governmental accounts; his analysis of Municipal Council but was suspended Parramatte River. He was also an out- railway administration helped Parkes on 29 Decemb'er, 1866, for absence standing horseman and prize-winning in 1888 to separate it from political without leave. He resigned on 7 exhibitor of horses at the Royal Agricul- influence. As colonial politics ramified November, 1867, remarking, 'it was tural Show. In 1865 he had been corres- in response to financial stresses, Gar- through taking part in political contests ponding secretary of the lrish National van, somewhat against his grain, and supporting the losing side'; later League and in 1876 he was co-secret- became more actively involved. He he received £21 in damages. He then ary of the Daniel O'Connell centenary concluded that income taxation and roved eastern Australia and in 1870-71, celebrations. His growing colonial extra customs duties were needed and at Sydney, he was articled to R.R. Bailey repute and his wealth were augmented in February, 1886, moved the motion and to B. A. Freehill. In 1872 he joined in the 1870s by pioneering work in the that brought down John Robertson's the Hill End gold rush and was a suc- Lismore and Tweed River district. ministry, but, as Minister of Justice cessful legal adviser for several mining Garvan had a natural political instinct under Patrick Jennings, he could do lit- companies. In 1875 at Sydney he read and outgrew the constrictions, often tle to alleviate political confusion. for the Bar with W. B. Dalley and sectarian, of municipal affairs. In Feb- When Parkes made free trade and pro- Edmund Barton, but gave it up in 1876 ruary, 1872, he was defeated for the tection the clear-cut issue at the elec- and founded the Australian Terminat- Hastings seat in the Legislative Assem- tions of February, 1887, Garvan ing Building Society. He astutely saw bly, but in 1880 won Eden as a free became a protectionist and toyed with the need for improved water transport trader. In 1882-83 he claimed that the the idea of becoming the party's leader. and in 1876-79 established and nur- treasurer, J. Watson and the minister In January-March, 1889, he was trea- tured the North Shore Steam Ferry Co. for works, F.A. Wright had breached surer under George Dibbs, and, in Ltd; predicting an increase of insur- ministerial standards, but in 1885 sup- defence of W.P. Crick, warned parlia- ance he also f~undedthe City Mutual ported Henry Parkes's right to criticize ment: 'Be careful lest in the exercise of Fire Insurance Co. Ltd. and the City members of parliament outside the power by a majority you do not stamp Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd. House. Garvan's political stature out that hope of liberty which must Garvan had combined gradual suc- increased through his restraining influ- manifest itself more in a minority than Circular Quay, Sydney, arrivalpoint for lrish emigrants to New South Wales, Bridgestreet,Sydney, from a watercolour by C. Martens (The Dixpn Galleries), anywhere else'. A convinced devoted assistants, and, despite envi- Rookwood cemetery. His remains were federationist, chiefly because of his ous and ignorant critics, the enterprise later transferred to South Head cemet- grasp of banking and currency, he was rap~dlyprospered. 'As to whether he ery. Edmund Barton aptly pointed to proposed by Parkes as a member of the was the first to introduce Industrial his 'entirety of life, adorned with con- 1891 convention, but was displaced by Assurance to any part of Australia is a sistent principle, filled up in the dis- Dibbs. Pressure of business reduced matter of small importance. There is no charge of virtuous duty, with nothing to his zest for politics and he lost his seat doubt whatever that he was the first to conceal, no friendship broken, no con- in 1894. prove that [it] could be made to pay in fidence betrayed, no timid surrender to Political disorder and Parkes's domi this country'. Under Garvan's eldest popular clamour, no eager reaches for nation of parliament in 1887-91 had son, John, the company amalgamated popular favour'. helped Garvan to decide to consolidate in 1898 with the Mutual Life Associa- Oourcee' his insurance ventures. In December tion of Australia to form the Mutual Life A 'sian. lnsurance and Banking Record, 16 1886, influenced by the success of the and Citizens' Assurance Co. Nov. 1889; Aust. Financial Gazette and Prudential Assurance Co. of England, In 1871, at Sydney, Garvan had mar- lnsurance Chronicle, 7 Mar., 1 1 Dec., 1896; he founded the Citizens' Life Assurance ried Mary Genevieve, daughter of Dr. Town and Country J, 21 Apr., 1883; Parkes Co. Ltd. to concentrate on industrial Glissan. Leaving an estate of f21,445 letters (ML); information from Duncan insurance to enable workmen to buy and survived by his wife, six sons and McCorquodale, Wahroonga, NSW. small insurance on low premiums. His six daughters, he died on 20 Bede Nairn integrity and insight helped him, as November, 1896, at North Sydney, and (Reprinted from the Australian managing director, to recruit skilful and was buried in the Catholic section of Dictionary of Biography). ,. t An early nineteenth century view of Sydney Harbour. 174 .