Edward Riley

Who was Edward Riley?

Edward Riley was an Australian politician. Born in Glasgow in Scotland, he received a primary education and migrated to Australia in 1883. He became a plasterer and an official in the Plasterers Union, and eventually rose to become President of the Trades and Labour Council. In 1891, he was a founding member of the Labour Party. In 1910 he was elected to the Australian House of Representatives for the seat of South Sydney, succeeding former Labor Prime Minister Chris Watson. He held the seat until his defeat in 1931. His son, Edward Charles Riley, was the member for Cook from 1922 to 1934. Riley died in 1943.