© State of New South Wales through the Parliament of New South Wales
John Jacob Cohen
Date of Birth20 December 1859
Death Date25 March 1939
ParliamentNew South Wales
DesignationMLA Petersham
PartyProtectionist
Term1898 to 1919
BiographyJohn Jacob Cohen was born in Grafton and after a distinguished academic career graduated from Sydney University with first class honours in Mathematics becoming an architect, engineer and later studied law. He was also a fine sportsman awarded a blue for rugby. A strong supporter of federation, he was elected to the NSW parliament as a member of Edmund Barton’s (Australia’s first prime minister) National Federal Party and held the seat until 1919 including the speakership from 1917-1919. After retirement from politics, he became a judge of the District Court. Mr. Cohen served on the board of management of the Great Synagogue for many years. John Cohen died in Sydney at the age of 79.
