Thomas Crawford

Thomas William Crawford (31 January 1865 – 8 June 1948) was a long-serving member of the Australian Senate and joint Father of the Senate.

Early life Crawford was born on 31 January 1865 in East Collingwood, Victoria. He was the oldest of seven children born to Helen and Thomas Crawford. His mother was born in England, while his father was born in County Armagh, Ireland, and moved to Australia during the Victorian gold rush.

Crawford's father ran a store at Woods Point on the Gippsland goldfields, and later took up land on the Gippsland Lakes. He received limited schooling and worked on the family farm from a young age. In 1879, his father "mysteriously disappeared".

Respected for his authority on sugar issues, an important industry in Australia at the time, Crawford served as honorary minister and acting minister for trade and customs in the Stanley Bruce government. He was also at times a strong advocate for statehood for the Australian tropics.

Legacy Crawford died at Indooroopilly, survived by his wife Emily, four daughters and three sons. His funeral was held at the Albert Street Methodist Church and proceeded to the Mount Thompson crematorium. His son William Crawford was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field.