William Weston (Australian politician)

William Pritchard Weston (28 November 1804 – 21 February 1888) was the third Premier of Tasmania.

William Weston
3rd Premier of Tasmania
In office 25 April 1857 – 12 May 1857
Preceded by	Thomas Gregson
Succeeded by	Francis Smith
In office 1 November 1860 – 2 August 1861
Preceded by	Francis Smith
Succeeded by	Thomas Chapman
Personal details
Born	28 November 1804 Shoreditch, London, England, UK
Died	21 February 1888 (aged 83) St Kilda, Victoria
Nationality	British

Born in Shoreditch, England, Weston emigrated to Tasmania in about 1830, purchasing a property near Longford, and lived there for several years. He also received a grant of 2500 acres (10 km²). He was made a magistrate and with the Rev. John West took a prominent part in the formation of the anti-transportation league which between 1849 and 1853 had an important influence in the success of this movement. Holding office on two occasions. Weston was elected to parliament at the original opening, in 1856 in the electoral district of Ringwood. He served for a short term as Premier from 25 April 1857 until 12 May 1857. He resigned his seat in the Tasmanian House of Assembly on 20 May 1857, instead taking a position in the Tasmanian Legislative Council as the member for Longford on 19 May 1857. He became Premier again on 1 November 1860 holding the position until 2 August 1861. He resigned from the Tasmanian Parliament altogether and later moved to Victoria, dying in St Kilda. He was survived by a son and five daughters.

References

• Parliamentary Library profile
• Serle, Percival (1949). "Weston, William". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Sydney: Angus and Robertson.