Jonathan Binns Were
Jonathan Binns Were C.M.G., J.P. Victoria, (25 April 1809 – 6 September 1885)[1] was an Australian politician, member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly and a stockbroker.[2]
Were was the third son of the late Nicholas Were, of Landcox, Somerset, and was born at Wellington, in that county.[1] Were engaged in mercantile pursuits, and left Plymouth for Port Phillip, now Victoria (Australia), in July 1839, ultimately establishing himself as a merchant in Melbourne. In 1852 he unsuccessfully contested South Bourke for a seat in the original unicameral Victorian Legislative Council, Henry Miller defeating him.[1] Four years later Were was returned to the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Brighton, in opposition to John Dennistoun Wood. He, however, resigned in March 1857, and never re-entered political life.[1]
Were was stock and share broker from 1860 and was involved with firm named J. B. Were & Son from 1861.[3]
Were, who was consul in Melbourne for several foreign nations, was the first chairman of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce in 1841, and, was re-elected in 1852. In 1881 he was created C.M.G. in recognition of his services in connection with the Melbourne International Exhibition (1880).[1] Were was knighted by the kings of Sweden and Denmark.[2]
Were died on 6 September 1885,[1] in Victoria, Australia.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Mennell, Philip (1892). . The Dictionary of Australasian Biography. London: Hutchinson & Co – via Wikisource.
- ^ a b c Bate, Weston. "Were, Jonathan Binns (1809–1885)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
- ^ "Were, Jonathan Binns". Re-Member: a database of all Victorian MPs since 1851. Parliament of Victoria. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2013.