Date of Birth: 26/02/1817
Place of Birth: Kilbride, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Date of Death: 21/03/1888
Place of Death: 'Malpas Lodge', Torquay, Devon, England
Qualifications, occupations and interests
Pastoralist; newspaper proprietor ('The Argus', Melbourne). Educated privately and at Broadford School, Skye. Worked with his uncle, Lauchlan McKinnon, a writer to the signet in Glasgow. Migrated to Van Diemen's Land in 1838 and then to Sydney whence he overlanded stock to Adelaide and Port Phillip. Took up runs in the Western Districts. Contested a Port Phillip seat in the New South Wales Legislative Council in 1848, supported by many Western Districts squatters. Became a partner in the newspaper 'Argus' and took over the business side of the paper which was near financial collapse. Retired to England in 1868 and settled at Eldfordleigh, Devonshire, to enjoy the pleasures of English country life. For a time he lived at Arundel, Sussex, often visiting his estate at Duisdale, Isle of Skye, and offering hospitality on the grand scale. Member of the original Council of the University of Melbourne. Died leaving a vast estate.
Membership of other Parliaments & Offices Held
Member of the first Legislative Council of Victoria for Warnambool and Belfast December 1852 - May 1853.
Personal
Second son of John Mackinnon, Presbyterian minister of Strath, and his wife Ann Mackinnon. Married (1) Jane Montgomery. Died in Sydney on 13 June 1849. Married (2) Emily Bundock on 9 May 1850 at Parramatta. Died at Malpas Lodge on 17 June 1893, survived by two adopted children. Stauch Presbyterian.
