James Drake

James George Drake (26 April 1850–1 August 1941), Australian politician, was a member of the first federal ministry.

Drake was born in London and educated at King's College School, and migrated to Australia in 1873, working as a storekeeper and journalist in Queensland. He became a shorthand reporter for the Parliament of Queensland in 1876 until he was admitted as a barrister in 1882. A Protectionist, he was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly 1888–99 and was an appointed member of the Legislative Council of Queensland 1899–1901. He was Postmaster-General and Secretary for Public Instruction 1899-1901.Australian Dictionary of Biography
last=Gibbney
first=H. J.
authorlink=
year=1981
id=A080361b
title= Drake, James George (1850 - 1941)
accessdate=2007-10-19]

Drake was an early and energetic supporter of Australia. He was elected to the Australian Senate in 1901 as a Senator for Queensland. He was Postmaster-General 1901–03 in the ministry of Edmund Barton. He was Minister for Defence 1903, Attorney General 1903–04 and Vice-President of the Executive Council 1904–05. He was left out of Alfred Deakin's second ministry and retired from parliament in 1906. He stood for the Queensland state seat of North Brisbane in 1907, but only gained 137 votes.

Drake was state crown prosecutor from 1910 to 1920. He died in Brisbane Hospital, survived by four children from his marriage to Mary Street in 1897.

Notes

Persondata
NAME = Drake, James George
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Australian politician
DATE OF BIRTH = 26 April 1850
PLACE OF BIRTH = London, England
DATE OF DEATH = 1 August 1941
PLACE OF DEATH = Brisbane, Queensland