Hon Sir Henry Ayers GCMG

Sir Henry Ayers GCMG

01 May 1821

Pre-Party System

Former Member

North-Eastern District

Legislative Council

09 March 1857

Financier

Henry Ayers emigrated to Adelaide with his wife Elizabeth in 1841. Young, ambitious, and determined, he quickly gained work as a law clerk and, in 1845, was appointed secretary of the South Australia Mining Association. His shrewd business sense and growing control over the finances and votes of outside investors saw him rise to the position of Managing Director of the organisation in 1850.

By the time he was elected to the Legislative Council of the first Parliament in 1857 he had amassed a significant personal fortune, primarily from his interests in the lucrative Burra Burra copper mine. From his position in the Upper house, Ayers became Premier in no less than seven different administrations in the decade from 1863. His various ministerial permutations ranged in duration from 13 days in 1864 to just under a year and a half in 1867-68. Perhaps more than any other nineteenth century South Australian Premier, Ayers' political career reflected what his contemporary A. Forster called the period's 'chronic ministerial instability' - the result of the fragmentation and ideological incoherence of the young Parliament. In total, Ayers served as Premier for four years and 34 days - a significant record during the time - and his influence across South Australian politics was considerable.

During his last tenure as Premier (22 January 1872 to 22 July 1873), explorer William Gosse's expedition encountered what became Ayers Rock (now also known as Uluru) on 19 July 1873 - named after the Premier who was to leave office some three days later. Ayers is also known for his residence of Ayers House, a historic mansion on North Terrace, Adelaide. It is the only mansion on North Terrace and is listed on the South Australian Heritage Register.

When Ayers' last ministry fell in 1873 he remained a powerful member of the Legislative Council, serving as President from 1881 to 1893. Retiring in 1893, Ayers was knighted twice, as a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 1872 and upgraded to Knight Grand Cross in the same Order (GCMG) in 1894. Ayers died in 1897 aged 76.

Image reproduced with permission -
State Library of South Australia, SLSA: B10797

11 June 1897