Alexander Downer, Sr.

The Honourable Sir Alexander Downer KBE
Member of the Australian Parliament for Angas
In office 10 December 1949 – 23 April 1964
Preceded by	New seat
Succeeded by	Geoffrey Giles
Personal details
Born	7 April 1910(1910-04-07) Adelaide, South Australia
Died	30 March 1981(1981-03-30) (aged 70) Barossa Valley
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Liberal Party of Australia
Spouse(s)	Mary Downer (neé Gosse)
Relations	John Downer (father)
Children	Alexander Downer
Alma mater	Oxford University
Occupation	Barrister
Religion	Anglican

Sir Alexander Russell Downer KBE (7 April 1910 – 30 March 1981), Australian politician generally known as Alec Downer, was born in Adelaide, a part of the Downer family and son of John Downer, who was a former Premier of South Australia and member of the Australian Senate.

He was educated at Geelong Grammar School and at Oxford University, where he graduated in economics and political science. He practised as a barrister in Adelaide before joining the Australian Army in 1940. He served in Malaya and was a prisoner-of-war for three years.

After the war Downer joined the newly formed Liberal Party of Australia and in 1949 he was elected to the House of Representatives for the rural based Division of Angas. He was Minister for Immigration from 1958 to 1963. He retired from Parliament upon his appointment as Australian High Commissioner in London, a position he held until 1972. He was knighted in 1965, becoming Sir Alexander Downer. He was made a Freeman of the City of London in 1965.

He was the godfather of Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, brother of Diana, Princess of Wales. The Earl's godmother was Queen Elizabeth II.

Sir Alec's son, Alexander Downer, was also a Liberal politician, who was Leader of the Opposition 1994–95 and Foreign Minister of Australia 1996–2007.

References

Political offices
Preceded by Athol Townley	Minister for Immigration 1958–1963	Succeeded by Hubert Opperman
Parliament of Australia
New division	Member for Angas 1949–1964	Succeeded by Geoffrey Giles
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Sir Eric Harrison	Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom 1964–1972	Succeeded by John Armstrong