Peter Lalor | |
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Born | February 5, 1827 Raheen, Laois, Ireland |
Died | February 9, 1889 died at his sons house Melbourne, Victoria |
Cause of death | Died from diabetes |
Known for | Leading the Eureka Rebellion, in which many Australians believe was the kick-starter to Australia's Democratic government |
Successor | Sir Charles Gavan Duffy |
Spouse | Alicia Dunne |
Children | Annie "Anne" Lalor, Joseph Lalor |
Parent(s) | Ann, nèe Dillon, Patrick "Patt" Lalor |
Relatives | James Fintan Lalor, Richard Lalor, William A. Lalor Snr., Margarett Ellen Lalor, Joseph Lalor, Thomas Lalor, Jerome Lalor, Patrick Lalor, Mary Lalor, John Lalor, Catherine Lalor |
Peter Lalor (February 5, 1827 – February 9, 1889)[1] was the leader of the Eureka Stockade rebellion, one of Australia's few violent protests and seen by many as the start of democracy in Australia. He later became an important politician in Victoria.
Lalor was born at Tenakill, Queens County, Ireland into a large family, active in Irish politics. His father Patrick, represented Queens County in the House of Commons.[1] Peter was educated in Dublin and became a civil engineer. With political unrest in Ireland, and the chance of getting rich in on the Australian goldfields, he left Ireland with his brother, Richard, and went to Victoria, Australia, in 1852.[1] They worked on building the railway between Melbourne and Geelong. In 1853 Peter went to the Ovens River looking for gold, and Richard went back to Ireland where he later became a member of parliament. Peter Lalor went into business selling wine and tobacco in Melbourne, but decided to go to Ballarat to look for gold in 1854.[1] He set up camp on the Eureka Lead, at East Ballarat, which was settled by many miners from Ireland.[1]