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James Craig

1911 – 1989

Australian politician

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About James Craig

Lived 1911 – 1989 (aged 77). James Craig was an Australian politician.

James Frederick Craig (22 December 1911 – 12 January 1989) was an Australian farmer and politician who was a Country Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia from 1959 to 1971, representing the seat of Toodyay. He served as a minister in the government of Sir David Brand.

Craig was born in Kalgoorlie to Hilda Dagma (née Thornton) and James Burnett Craig. He attended Scotch College, Perth, and then found work as a clerk with Western Australian Government Railways, working at Welshpool. Craig enlisted in the Australian Army in 1939, and saw active duty in the Middle Eastern theatre. He initially returned to the railways after being discharged in 1942, and then from 1947 served as secretary and accountant for a cooperative based in the Swan Valley. From 1951 to 1952, he was also a member of the Midland Junction Town Council.

Craig entered parliament at the 1959 state election, replacing the retiring Lindsay Thorn. After the 1962 election, he was elevated to the ministry, replacing George Cornell as Minister for Transport and Minister for Police. In a reshuffle after the 1965 election, Craig replaced Ross Hutchinson as Chief Secretary, although he lost the transport portfolio to Charles Court. He remained in the ministry until his retirement at the 1971 state election. Craig died in Perth in January 1989, aged 77. He had married Maria Rhoda Haynes in 1936, with whom he had three children.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Scotch College, Perth
Positions held
Member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly
Also known as
James Frederick Craig

People in James Craig's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped James Craig's

Frequently asked questions

Who was James Craig?

Australian politician

When was James Craig born?

James Craig was born on 22 December 1911 in Kalgoorlie.

When did James Craig die?

James Craig died on 12 January 1989 in Nedlands.

What was James Craig's occupation?

James Craig was a politician.

What nationality was James Craig?

James Craig was Australian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: James Craig

· Wikidata: Q27915126

· DBpedia: James Craig (Australian politician)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James Craig. https://biography.guide/james-craig/

MLA: "James Craig." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-craig/.

Chicago: "James Craig." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-craig/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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