Norton, Albert (1836 - 1914)

A well known pastoralist and politician, Norton bought a station at Rodd's Bay in 1861 and began his career as a successful cattle breeder. He served on the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly at various times from 1866 to 1914. A prolific writer and reader with a keen interest in history and the arts, Norton was a trustee of the Royal Society of Queensland and founder of the School of Arts in Port Curtis.

He was invited in 1878 to represent Port Curtis in the Legislative Assembly and was elected unopposed. For eight months in 1883 he was secretary of public works and mines in Thomas McIlwraith's government and was elected Speaker in June 1888 serving until 1893. He was then called to the Legislative Council and was Chairman of Committees from 1902 to 1907. He held his seat until 1914.

Albert was a voracious reader and a prolific writer of articles and items for the press. He also contributed many papers to the Royal Society of Queensland. He opposed payment for MPs but when it was introduced used his portion to establish the School of Arts in Port Curtis and distributed donations amongst the district's schools. He married three times and was survived by his third wife.

• 'Norton, Albert (1836 - 1914)', in Australian Dictionary of Biography - Online Edition, Australian National University, 2006, http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A050396b.htm. [ Details... ]