John George Davies

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Alt NameSir John
Date of Birth17 February 1846
Death Date12 November 1913

ParliamentTasmania
DesignationMLA Hobart Town
PartyIndependent
Term1884 to 1919

BiographyJohn George Davies was born in Melbourne to a Jewish father, John Davies, who had been transported as a convict. After moving to Tasmania, his father founded the Hobart Mercury newspaper while George became a renowned cricketer. Following a stellar sporting career, he and his brother Charles took over the Mercury from their father. He became active in local politics and was mayor of Hobart in 1885. During his long service in the Tasmanian parliament, he became the speaker from 1903 until his death. He was knighted in 1909. Politically he was a conservative though independent of the major parties. George Davies died in 1913 at the age of 67 and is buried in the Anglican section of Cornelian Bay cemetery.