Robert Caldwell

Robert Caldwell, M. P. Chairman of the Pastoral Lands Commission, State Library of South Australia B-44349. Original held at Parliamentary Library

Robert Caldwell (4 August 1843 – 2 November 1909), occasionally referred to as "poet Caldwell", was a South Australian politician. He was a member of the South Australian House of Assembly from 1884 to 1902, representing the electorates of Yorke Peninsula (1884-1890) and Onkaparinga (1890-1902).

Early life Caldwell was born in Stevenston, Ayrshire, Scotland and immigrated to South Australia with his family in 1849 when he was just six years old. The family was among the earliest settlers at Alma Plains, and also lived at Mount Templeton, north of Whitwarta. After leaving school, he farmed on Yorke's Peninsula and at Woodside. before entering politics, and was Clerk of the Onkaparinga District Court.

Caldwell was a Methodist lay preacher and popular lecturer in the temperance cause, and a member of the Temperance Alliance throughout his life.

He wrote many articles and poems on topical themes for The South Australian Register and, especially, The Mount Barker Courier.

Politics Caldwell was elected to the South Australian House of Assembly as the member for Yorke Peninsula in 1884, transferring to Onkaparinga in 1890. He served until 1902.

Whilst in parliament Caldwell was briefly secretary to the Opposition, and was instrumental in securing the appointment of several Commissions to enquire into issues related to the agricultural industry. which led to South Australian women receiving the vote in 1894.

Mary Lee, a founding member and Honorary Secretary of the Women's Suffrage League, described Caldwell as a courageous champion of the League for his persistence in keeping the issue before Parliament.

Publications Caldwell, Robert (1876) The Australian Year, and other poems Offices of The Chronicle Caldwell, Robert (1881) The Philosopher, or Fragments of a Nineteenth Century Drama Advertiser and Chronicle, Adelaide also available online Caldwell, Robert (1890) Interpretations and musings Burden & Bonython, Adelaide Caldwell, Robert (c. 1899) The Pioneers and Other Poems E. S. Wigg & Son, price 1/6d. Caldwell, Robert (1900) Summer Fruits and Autumn Flowers J.L. Bonython & Co., Adelaide