About John Adamson
Lived 1857 – 1922 (aged 65). John Adamson was an Australian politician, blacksmith, cobbler, religious minister and shoemaker.
John Adamson CBE (18 February 1857 – 2 May 1922) was an English-born Australian politician.
Early life Born in Durham, he received a primary education before becoming a shoemaker, blacksmith and lay preacher. He migrated to Australia in 1878, becoming a Methodist minister in Queensland.
On 25 February 1911, he was elected as the member for Rockhampton, serving until 21 March 1917. He was Secretary for Railways from 1 June 1915 to 2 October 1916. Adamson left the Labor Party in the wake of the 1916 split over conscription, joining the National Party. and then he was elected to the Australian Senate as a Nationalist Senator for Queensland. He served in the Senate from 1 July 1920 until his death on 2 May 1922. Following his death, the Queensland Government (then controlled by the Australian Labor Party) appointed John MacDonald, a Labor member, as his replacement.
Death Adamson died in 1922 after he fell in front of a train at Hendra railway station. Reports at the time suggested suicide as he had been suffering from illness and depression for some time. He was accorded a state funeral which proceeded from the Albert Street Methodist Church to the Toowong Cemetery.
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Important facts
People in John Adamson's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Adamson's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Adamson?
Australian politician from Queensland (1857-1922)
When was John Adamson born?
John Adamson was born on 18 February 1857 in Tudhoe.
When did John Adamson die?
John Adamson died on 2 May 1922 in Hendra railway station.
What was John Adamson's occupation?
John Adamson was a politician, blacksmith, cobbler, religious minister and shoemaker.
What nationality was John Adamson?
John Adamson was Australian.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John Adamson (Queensland politician)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Adamson. https://biography.guide/john-adamson/
MLA: "John Adamson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-adamson/.
Chicago: "John Adamson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-adamson/.
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