About William Thornton
Lived 1821 – 1884 (aged 62). William Thornton was a politician.
William Thornton (15 June 1817 – 27 June 1884) was a member of the Queensland Legislative Council.
Early life Thornton was born in Grenville, County Cavan, Ireland in 1817 to Perrott Mee Thornton and his wife Ellen (née Cochrane). After doing his schooling in Dungannon he attended Trinity College, Dublin but left after a short time. Having a boyish passion for the sea, he found work as a Mercantile Marine with the East India Company, which disappointed his father, who had wanted him to become a solicitor.
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Important facts
Related people
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Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped William Thornton's
Frequently asked questions
Who was William Thornton?
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly (1821-1884)
When was William Thornton born?
William Thornton was born on 2 October 1821 in County Cavan, Ireland.
When did William Thornton die?
William Thornton died on 27 June 1884 in Brisbane.
What was William Thornton's occupation?
William Thornton was a politician.
What nationality was William Thornton?
William Thornton's recorded nationality: Irish Australian.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: William Thornton (Queensland politician)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Thornton. https://biography.guide/william-thornton-politician/
MLA: "William Thornton." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-thornton-politician/.
Chicago: "William Thornton." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-thornton-politician/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-21 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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