Sir Alexander Matheson, 3rd Baronet

Who was Sir Alexander Matheson, 3rd Baronet?

Sir Alexander Perceval Matheson, 3rd Baronet was an English-born Australian politician. Born in Mayfair, London, he was the son of Sir Alexander Matheson, 1st Baronet, a Scottish member of the House of Commons. Educated in England at Harrow School. In 1894 he migrated to Western Australia and the next year established a store and commercial agency in Bayley Street, Coolgardie. From this base he managed branches in Perth, Fremantle, Kalgoorlie, Cue, Menzies and Lawlers selling mining machinery, and providing finance, in association with Bewick, Moreing & Co., for the development of mines. In 1897, he was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Council for North-East Province, serving until 1901. He was served as a member of the Federal Council of Australasia from 1897 to 1901. In 1901 he was elected to the Australian Senate as a Senator for Western Australia, on a platform of absolute free trade, industrial arbitration, old-age pensions, uniform franchise and White Australia. He served until his retirement in 1906. Returning to England, he succeeded to the baronetcy in 1920, and died in 1929.