George Bean (politician)

George Thomas Bean (c. 1845 – 25 February 1912) (generally known as "G. T. Bean") was a prominent South Australian entrepreneur and parliamentarian. He was educated at J. L. Young's Adelaide Educational Institution,[1] and his business ventures included leather, shipping, and mining in South and Western Australia, and sugar in the Northern Territory of Australia, often in conjunction with one or both of his brothers W. H. and Arthur Bean.[2]

He was elected, with H. B. T. Strangways, to the Fifth Parliament (1868–1870) for the District of West Torrens of the South Australian House of Assembly, on 21 April 1868, the first SA-colony-born person to achieve this.[2] On 19 November 1869[3] with J. A. Bean[4] he left for London on business, but his application for leave of absence was refused by Parliament, despite a petition from his constituents.[5] His seat was declared vacant on 29 January 1870, due to his "failure to attend". While away he prospected for diamonds in Cape Town,[6] with some success,[2] not returning until 1878.[7] John Pickering won the resulting by-election on 10 February 1870, and the Fifth Parliament was dissolved on 2 March 1870. His brother W. H. Bean successfully stood for West Torrens at the election for the Sixth Parliament.[8]

He was a popular speaker and frequently called upon to officiate at public occasions in the Hindmarsh area.[2]

While an M.P. in 1869 G. T. Bean was brought into mining matters.[9]

He was one of the original shareholders in the Port Augusta and Port Darwin Railway Co. Ltd.[10]

George Bean with Alfred von Doussa proposed diamond mining at Echunga in 1879[11] but no evidence of any exploration.

G. T. Bean was Chairman of West Australian Mining Company in 1895.[12]

He was a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and of the Institute of Directors in London. Following a number of operations for cancer, he died in London on 25 February 1912, aged 67. He was survived by his brothers, William living in England, and Arthur in Sydney.[2]

References
  1. Examination of Pupils South Australian Advertiser Wednesday 15 June 1859 p.2 accessed 18 March 2011
  2. Concerning People, (Obituary of G.T. Bean), The Register 8 April 1912 p.4 accessed 18 March 2011
  3. Torrens Trade Protection South Australian Register 18 November 1869 p.2 accessed 2 April 2011
  4. Shipping Intelligence South Australian Register 19 November 1869 p.2 accessed 2 April 2011
  5. Leave of Absence South Australian Register 9 December 1869 p.2 accessed 3 April 2011
    Little is known of J.A. Bean fellow member (and Secretary) of the short-lived protectionist Industrial League. He may be Arthur Bean or someone not closely related.
  6. The Late M. George J. Davies South Australian Register 16 December 1872 p.5 accessed 8 April 2011
  7. The Mail News South Australian Register 10 August 1878 p.5 accessed 6 April 2011
  8. House of Assembly 1868–1870 & 1870–1871 Archived 12 March 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Statistical Record of the Legislature 1836–2007, Parliament of SA, pp.53, 54, 100 & 114.
  9. Deputations South Australian Register 25 March 1869 p.3 accessed 8 April 2011
  10. The Trans-Australia Railway South Australian Register 21 May 1872 supplement p.3 accessed 4 April 2011
  11. Diamonds in South Australia South Australian Register 19 July 1879 p.4 accessed 8 April 2011
  12. A mining course at the University South Australian Register 2 December 1895 p.6 accessed 14 March 2011
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