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George Soward

1857 – 1941

Australian politician

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About George Soward

Lived 1857 – 1941 (aged 83). George Soward was an Australian and British politician, architect and novelist.

George Klewitz Soward (27 August 1857 – 21 February 1941) was an architect and politician in South Australia. he was a partner in the firm English & Soward from 1880 to 1925, renamed English, Soward & Jackman from 1926 to 1936. Among other buildings, the firm was known for designing Beehive Corner, the Epworth Building, and the Queen Adelaide Club.

Early life and education Soward's father, George Soward ( – 1894) migrated to the colony of South Australia aboard Lady Emma, arriving in October 1838. His wife Eliza Maria, in Norwood, and two daughters: Bertha in 1859 and Emma Klewitz Soward in 1862. He married one more time, on 5 February 1873, to Eliza Deans (died 3 October 1875).

George Soward Snr was a timber merchant, ironmonger, Clerk of Works (1856) in the Colonial Architect's Department, and then Supervisor (1860) of Public Works. After Edward Hamilton's resignation in 1860, Soward was acting Colonial Architect for six months.

Career as an architect Soward served his articles as an architect with architect Thomas English from 1877, then was taken on as his partner in the firm of English and Soward around 1880. The practice continued under this name after the death of Thomas English in 1884, with his son Joseph English (died 1927).

Soward was architect to the South Australian Jockey Club, and designed several grandstands, including one at Adelaide Oval.

Political career Soward had long experience as a councillor with the Glenelg Town Council, and served as mayor from 1896 to 1898.

He was a member of the South Australian House of Assembly for Torrens from 3 May 1902 to 26 May 1905. on 18 March 1857.

Soward married Emmy Lucy Charlotte Beare on 7 April 1880 at St Barnabas Church in Clare. They had two daughters, Helen Daisy and Marjorie, and a son, Lewis Douglas. The family lived at 62 The Mall (now Moseley Street) in Glenelg.

He also wrote several works, including a novel called The Mirthful Mutineer, which was published in the Australian Woman's Mirror, a Sydney magazine. Maintaining a strong interest in history, his article "One Hundred Years of Building" was published in South Australian Homes and Gardens in 1936. Beehive Corner Epworth Building Glenelg Oval Grandstand Grandstand at Morphettville Racecourse Queen Adelaide Club University of Adelaide Sports Pavilion on War Memorial Drive St Corantyn, originally "Eöthen", residence for Charles and Eliza Hornabrook

Death and legacy Soward died on 21 February 1941. He was buried at St Jude's Anglican Church in Brighton.

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Important facts

Birth century
Education
St Peter's College
Positions held
Member of the South Australian House of Assembly, Mayor of Glenelg
Also known as
George Klewitz Soward

People in George Soward's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped George Soward's

Frequently asked questions

Who was George Soward?

Australian politician

When was George Soward born?

George Soward was born on 27 August 1857 in Norwood.

When did George Soward die?

George Soward died on 21 February 1941 in Victoria.

What was George Soward's occupation?

George Soward was a politician, architect and novelist.

What nationality was George Soward?

George Soward was Australian and British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: George Soward

· Wikidata: Q15996509

· DBpedia: George Klewitz Soward

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). George Soward. https://biography.guide/george-soward/

MLA: "George Soward." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/george-soward/.

Chicago: "George Soward." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/george-soward/.

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