Alfred Deakin (Deakin Alfred)

(1856-1919)
Born August 3, 1856 in Melbourne. He was educated at an Anglican secondary school and the University of Melbourne. In 1880, he occupied several government posts in the State of Victoria and led the Australian delegation to the colonial conference in London in 1887. Expert on irrigation, actively supported plans for irrigation Victoria. Wrote the book in Western Australia Irrigation (Irrigation in Western Australia, 1885). In 1890 participated in the drafting of the Australian federation, was a delegate to the constitutional congress of the Federation in 1891 and 1897-1898. In 1900, as part of the Australian delegation Deakin went to London, secured the adoption of the British Parliament Act on the establishment of the Commonwealth of Australia, which entered into force on January 1, 1901. In 1901-1903 served as Attorney General of the Union, and in 1903-1904, 1905-1908 and 1909-1910 was the Prime Minister. In 1910 he became the leader of the opposition, but in 1912 declined from political activity. Deakin died in Melbourne on Oct. 7, 1919.