The Hon. W. J. Trickett, M.L.A.

Rare c.19th engraved portrait of William Joseph Trickett (1843-1916), solicitor and politician in colonial New South Wales, Australia.

Born on September 2, 1843, in Gibraltar, he was the only son of Joseph Trickett, a civil engineer, and Elizabeth Backshall. The Trickett family emigrated to Sydney in 1854, where his father became the manager of the coining department at the Sydney branch of the Royal Mint. William received his early education at St Philip’s School and Sydney Grammar School before pursuing a career in law. He qualified as a solicitor in 1866.

Trickett entered politics in 1880 when he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as the member for Paddington. He served in this role until 1887, when he resigned to take up a life appointment in the Legislative Council, where he remained until his death. During his political career, he held various important positions, including Postmaster-General and Minister of Public Instruction in the Stuart ministry. He also briefly served as Chairman of Committees in the Assembly.

In addition to his political work, Trickett was active in public and cultural life. He was a justice of the peace, a trustee of the Art Gallery, a member of the State Children’s Relief Board, and a supporter of several sporting clubs. He also represented New South Wales at international exhibitions held in Calcutta, London, Adelaide, and Melbourne throughout the 1880s.

On January 23, 1869, he married Charlotte Louisa Ashdown. The couple had two sons and four daughters. William Joseph Trickett passed away on July 4, 1916, at his home in Woollahra, New South Wales, and was laid to rest in the Anglican section of Waverley Cemetery.

From the original edition of the Illustrated Sydney News.

References:
Gibbs & Shallard. Illustrated Sydney News. ISSN 2203-5397.

Collections:
State Library New South Wales: F8/39-40
State Library Victoria: PCINF SLVIC=1853-1872
National Library Australia: Bib ID 440095