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Alexander Campbell

1812 – 1891

Merchant and politician from New South Wales, Australia

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About Alexander Campbell

Lived 1812 – 1891 (aged 79). Alexander Campbell was a politician, merchant and businessperson.

Alexander Campbell (25 May 1812 – 8 November 1891) was a Scottish-born Australian politician.

Early life He was born in Relugas near Forres, Scotland, to farmer Donald Campbell and Janet Ralph. A solicitor, he migrated to Sydney in 1838 and worked for a merchant firm until beginning his own business in 1840; he subsequently entered a partnership in 1842 as merchants and commercial agents. On 1 July 1842 he married Maria Martin, with whom he had four children; a second marriage on 6 October 1857 to Sarah Robertson Murray produced a further four children, while and third on 8 January 1873 to Harriet Hunt was childless.

Political career Campbell unsuccessfully stood as a candidate at the by-election for the Legislative Council seat of Sydney Hamlets in February 1855. He did not contest the first election for the Legislative Assembly, but stood for Shoalhaven at the 1859 election, finishing well back in 3rd. He was finally successful at the 1860 Williams by-election. He served in the assembly for less than 9 months before parliament was dissolved and he did not contest the general election later that year.

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Important facts

Birth century
Positions held
Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council, Postmaster-General of New South Wales

People in Alexander Campbell's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Alexander Campbell's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Alexander Campbell?

Merchant and politician from New South Wales, Australia (1812-1891)

When was Alexander Campbell born?

Alexander Campbell was born on 12 May 1812 in Forres.

When did Alexander Campbell die?

Alexander Campbell died on 8 November 1891.

What was Alexander Campbell's occupation?

Alexander Campbell was a politician, merchant and businessperson.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Alexander Campbell

· Wikidata: Q20810581

· DBpedia: Alexander Campbell (Australian politician)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Alexander Campbell. https://biography.guide/alexander-campbell-politician-1812/

MLA: "Alexander Campbell." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/alexander-campbell-politician-1812/.

Chicago: "Alexander Campbell." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/alexander-campbell-politician-1812/.

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