Arthur Martin A'Beckett (1812 – 23 May 1871) was an English-born Australian surgeon and politician who served in the New South Wales Legislative Council from 1856 to 1860. Arthur A'Beckett died in Sydney in 1871.[1][2]
Arthur A'Beckett | |
|---|---|
 A'Beckett circa 1840 | |
| In office 1856–1860 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1812 Sydney |
| Died | 23 May 1871 (aged 58–59) Sydney |
| Spouse |
Emma Louise Elwin (m. 1838) |
| Children | 5 sons and 5 daughters, including William Channing A'Beckett |
| Alma mater | University of London |
| Occupation | Surgeon, politician |
Life
editArthur Martin A'Beckett was born in 1812 in London, United Kingdom to William A'Beckett, a solicitor, and Sarah Abbott. A'Beckett studied medicine in Paris and in London at London University From 1835 to 1837, he served as a staff surgeon to the British Legion in Spain, where he received several Spanish decorations including the Knight Bachelor of San Ferdinand.[3] In 1838, A'Beckett married Emma Louise Elwin, with whom he had 5 sons and 5 children, with one of his sons William Channing A'Beckett being born in 1846. They migrated in that year to New South Wales after encouragement from his brother, Sir William A'Beckett.[4][5]
Career
editIn New South Wales, he continued to serve as a surgeon, rising through the ranks of the Sydney medical fraternity. He also served as a consultant surgeon to Benevolent asylums, and as an examiner for the University of Sydney's medical faculty. In 1855, he was appointed as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons.[4]
From 13 May 1856 to 9 November 1860, A'Beckett served on the New South Wales Legislative Council.[5] His brother Sir William A'Beckett was Chief Justice of Victoria, while his son William Channing A'Beckett later joined the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.[1] In NSW, he continued to promote education and the arts, with A'Beckett serving as a commissioner due to his contributions to the Exposition Universelle of 1855. He also served as the President of the Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts and as a trustee of the Australian Museum and Sydney Grammar School.[4]
Namesake
editArthur A'Beckett, lawyer, journalist and son of the writer Gilbert Abbott À Beckett, joined the staff of the magazine Punch in London in 1875. His first novel Fallen Among Thieves, "an early country house murder & detective story", had appeared in 1870.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b "Dr Arthur Martin A'Beckett (1812–1871)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
- ^ "Obituary: Arthur Martin A'Beckett FRCS". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 June 1871. p. 6. Retrieved 23 April 2021 – via Trove.
- ^ "Dr Arthur Martin A'BECKETT (1812–1871)". www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- ^ a b c "Dr. Arthur Martin a'Beckett, c. 1840". National Portrait Gallery collection. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- ^ a b "a'Beckett, Arthur | The Dictionary of Sydney". dictionaryofsydney.org. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- ^ Catalogue. London: Jarndyce, London, 2020.
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