About Me
Full Name
Francis Stacker Dutton CMG
Party
Pre-Party System
Position
Former Member
Electorate
Light
House
House of Assembly
Date Elected
02 July 1851
Public Activities
Born circa 1818
Francis Dutton was born in Germany of British parents before migrating to Brazil at the age of 17. He travelled to New South Wales, and settled in South Australia in 1841. Early involvement with the mining industry, including the discovery of the Kapunda copper mine with Captain C.H. Bagot, made Dutton's fortune and enabled him to enter politics. He was a member of the Legislative Council for East Adelaide from 1851-1857 and in this capacity was active in drafting South Australia's constitution. In 1857, he was elected under the new constitution to the seat of Adelaide, held office under Hanson as Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration, and in 1860 was returned as member for Light, a position he held until 1865. In June 1863 he proposed a motion of censure in the Waterhouse government over alleged financial irregularities, causing Waterhouse and his government to resign. Dutton formed a ministry in July of that year, but lack of support in the Legislative Council saw his term as Premier over after 11 days. He served as Premier again in 1865 before resigning to take up the post of Agent-General for South Australia in London which he held until his death in 1877.
Francis Dutton was born in Germany of British parents before migrating to Brazil at the age of 17. He travelled to New South Wales, and settled in South Australia in 1841. Early involvement with the mining industry, including the discovery of the Kapunda copper mine with Captain C.H. Bagot, made Dutton's fortune and enabled him to enter politics. He was a member of the Legislative Council for East Adelaide from 1851-1857 and in this capacity was active in drafting South Australia's constitution. In 1857, he was elected under the new constitution to the seat of Adelaide, held office under Hanson as Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration, and in 1860 was returned as member for Light, a position he held until 1865. In June 1863 he proposed a motion of censure in the Waterhouse government over alleged financial irregularities, causing Waterhouse and his government to resign. Dutton formed a ministry in July of that year, but lack of support in the Legislative Council saw his term as Premier over after 11 days. He served as Premier again in 1865 before resigning to take up the post of Agent-General for South Australia in London which he held until his death in 1877.
Deceased
25 January 1877
Electoral History
Date
District
House
Party
Reason (if retired)
17 Nov 1862 - 28 Sep 1865
Light
House of Assembly
Pre-Party System
Accepted Office
19 Mar 1860 - 22 Apr 1862
Light
House of Assembly
Pre-Party System
Resigned
09 Mar 1857 - 18 Mar 1860
City of Adelaide
House of Assembly
Pre-Party System
Changed Seat
02 Jul 1851 - 02 Feb 1857
East Adelaide
Legislative Council
Pre-Party System
Not Re-elected
Offices Held
28 Sep 1865 - Current
Former Member
Ministerial Appointments
22 Mar 1865 - 20 Sep 1865
Commissioner of Public Works
22 Mar 1865 - 20 Sep 1865
Premier
04 Jul 1863 - 15 Jul 1863
Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration
04 Jul 1863 - 15 Jul 1863
Premier
30 Sep 1857 - 02 Jun 1859
Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration