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Thomas Ryan

1870 – 1943

Railway worker, estate agent, trade unionist and politician in South Australia

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About Thomas Ryan

Lived 1870 – 1943 (aged 73). Thomas Ryan was an Australian and British politician, estate agent, trade unionist and civil servant.

Thomas Ryan (9 January 1870 – 22 November 1943) was a railway worker, estate agent, trade unionist and politician. He served as the Labor member for Torrens (1909–1912) and Sturt (1915–1917) in the South Australian House of Assembly. He left the Labor Party in the 1917 Labor split, and served as a National Party member for several months before resigning his South Australian seat upon his election to the Victorian Legislative Assembly at the 1917 Victorian election, serving as the Nationalist Party member for Essendon from 1917 to 1924.

Ryan was born in Ireland arrived in Australia about 1890. He was orphaned at about the age of nine while living in South Africa; little is known of his early life.

Ryan died at the Hotel Australia in Sydney at the age of 73 and was survived by two sons.

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Important facts

Birth century
Positions held
Member of the South Australian House of Assembly, Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
Also known as
Thomas Ryan (1870–1943), Thomas Ryan (South Australian Politician), Thomas Ryan (Australian Politician), Thomas Ryan (Politician)

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Thomas Ryan's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Thomas Ryan?

railway worker, estate agent, trade unionist and politician in South Australia (1870–1943)

When was Thomas Ryan born?

Thomas Ryan was born on 9 January 1870 in Ireland.

When did Thomas Ryan die?

Thomas Ryan died on 22 November 1943 in Australia Hotel.

What was Thomas Ryan's occupation?

Thomas Ryan was a politician, estate agent, trade unionist and civil servant.

What nationality was Thomas Ryan?

Thomas Ryan was Australian and British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Thomas Ryan

· Wikidata: Q7793706

· DBpedia: Thomas Ryan (1870–1943)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Thomas Ryan. https://biography.guide/thomas-ryan-politician-1870/

MLA: "Thomas Ryan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/thomas-ryan-politician-1870/.

Chicago: "Thomas Ryan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/thomas-ryan-politician-1870/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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