William Grahame

Who was William Grahame?

William Grahame was an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1889 until 1894 and a member of the Protectionist Party.

Grahame was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and after a minimal education worked as a labourer. He migrated to Australia in 1858 and laboured on road work until he found employment as a tenant farmer and contractor. He eventually kept a jewellery shop in Newcastle and served as an alderman on Wickham Municipal Council and as a member of the local water and sewage board. At the 1889 election, he was the third candidate on the Protectionist list and won the last position in the multi-member seat of Newcastle. However, Grahame was forced to resign from parliament in October 1889 when he became insolvent and he was defeated by James Curley at the subsequent by-election. He regained his seat in April 1891 at a by-election caused by the death of James Fletcher. Grahame was defeated at the 1894 election. He did not hold ministerial or party office.