Mac Abbott

Macartney "Mac" Abbott (3 July 1877 – 30 December 1960) was an Australian lawyer, politician and peace activist. He was a Senator for New South Wales from 1935 to 1941, representing the Country Party, and had previously served in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1913 to 1918. He was a leader of the new state movement in the late 1920s and in the 1930s became known for his idiosyncratic efforts towards world peace.

Early life Abbott was born on 3 July 1877 in Murrurundi, New South Wales. He was one of three children born to Matilda Elizabeth (née Macartney) and Joseph Palmer Abbott. His father was a solicitor who was elected to the parliament of New South Wales in 1880, while his older brother John Henry Macartney Abbott was a novelist and poet.

Abbott's mother died in 1880 and his father remarried in 1883. He had four half-siblings from his father's second marriage, including Joe Abbott whom he briefly served alongside in federal parliament. Abbott spent his early years in country New South Wales and attended the state school at Wingen. He went on to attend Sydney Church of England Grammar School from 1889 to 1891 and The King's School, Parramatta, from 1892 to 1896. He was school captain in his final two years.

State politics Abbott was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly at the 1913 state election, defeating the incumbent MP Henry Willis. He was endorsed by the Farmers' and Settlers' Association but joined the Liberal Reform Party in parliament. He was re-elected with an increased majority at the 1917 state election, following the creation of the new Nationalist Party. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the seat of Martin at the 1931 federal election, losing to former New South Wales premier William Holman. He stood as the Country Party's nominee on the joint ticket with the UAP.

Personal life Abbott married Elizabeth Hall in 1905, with whom he had two sons. In 1927 he acquired a farming property, Tooloogan Vale, near Scone, New South Wales. He died in Scone on 30 December 1960, aged 83.