James Mackay

Who was James Mackay?

Major-General James Alexander Kenneth Mackay CB, OBE, VD was an Australian politician.

Born at Wallendenbeen Station near Cootamundra to pastoralist Alexander Mackay and Annie Mackenzie, he attended Camden College and Sydney Grammar School before farming at his father's property. In 1885 he joined the military volunteers and raised the West Camden Light Horse; he was a commissioned as a captain in 1886. He published three books of poetry and two novels from 1887 to 1908, using the pseudonym Kenneth Mackay; in 1896 he published a play, To the West, a collaboration with Alfred Dampier. In 1897 he raised the first Australian Volunteer Light Horse Regiment, and he was elevated lieutenant-colonel in 1898. In 1895 he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as the member for Boorowa, serving until 1899, when he was appointed to the Legislative Council, where he would remain until 1934. Mackay served as Vice-President of the Executive Council from 1899 to 1900 and from 1903 to 1904. From 1900 to 1901 he served in the Boer War commanding the 6th Imperial Bushmen's contingent of New South Wales, during which time he was mentioned in despatches.