By Emma


* Edmund Barton was born in Sydney in 1849, he was the tenth child in his family.
* At his school he was excelled. He won a scholarship  and became school captain.
* He was an outstanding sportsman at school.
* He studied law at Sydney University and he also earned a Masters Degree.
* In 1877 he married Jane Ross.
* Edmund Barton was a leading figure in the Federation movement at the end of the nineteenth century.



* First Prime Minister of Australia at the age of 52 on 1st January 1901.
* Australia was doing well with the population increasing rapidly, railroads were connecting rural towns
with the cities and industry was growing.
* Barton's government helped Britain to fight the Boer War in South Africa.
* Barton's government kept strict controls on immigration by insisting migrants had to take a dictation test
in any European language.
* He introduced an Act which ensured the Pacific Islanders were returned to their homes.

Timeline of his life 1849 - Born Sydney. 1870 - Graduated Sydney University. 1877 - Married Jane Ross. 1883 - 1887 Member of N.S.W Legislative Assembly. 1897 - Leader of Constitutional Committee. 1901 - First Prime Minster. 1902 - Travelled to England and accepted knighthood. 1903 - Health declined, left politics. 1920 - Died.

Centenary Of Australia Prime Ministers, by Joanne Hooligan.
A Centenary of Prime Ministers, by Scott Brodie, published by Watts Publishing.
* Internet Sites
http://www.nma.gov.au/primeministers/1.htm