Stuart Donaldson

Sir Stuart Alexander Donaldson (16 December 1812 – 11 January 1867) was the first Premier of the Colony of New South Wales.

Early life Donaldson was born in London, England. He entered his father's firm at the age of 15 and was sent first to Mexico (1831–1834), for business training. After returning to England in May 1834, Donaldson travelled to Sydney, New South Wales, aboard the Emma Eugenia where he arrived on 5 May 1835. He returned to London between 1841 and 1844.

Career In 1848, Donaldson was elected a member of the original unicameral Legislative Council of New South Wales, representing the County of Durham from February 1848 to January 1853. He travelled to England in 1853–1854. On 21 February 1854, he married Amelia Cowper.

They sailed for Australia aboard the Calcutta in August 1854. Fellow cabin passengers included William Westgarth and Rachel Henning. Henning described the Donaldsons as follows,

From 1 February 1855 to 29 February 1856, Donaldson represented Sydney Hamlets in the council. He was elected unopposed to Cumberland (South Riding) in October 1856, representing it to 1859. He was a member of the Senate of the University of Sydney from 1851 to 1861 and his brother John helped to select its academic staff.

Late life Donaldson returned to England for the last time in June 1859 and was knighted there in 1860. Following his return, he unsuccessfully sought election to the British House of Commons for Dartmouth in 1860 and later for Barnstaple. He had four sons, including Stuart Alexander Donaldson,St Clair Donaldson, and Hay Frederick Donaldson, and one daughter.

Stuart Donaldson died at Carleton Hall, near Penrith in Cumberland, England on 11 January 1867.