Francis Augustus Wright


Francis Augustus Wright was a merchant sailor and member of the Parliament of New South Wales.

Early life

Wright was born in London, England to Eliza. His father, also named Frances Augustus Wright, was a Captain of the Royal Navy, and the family emigrated to New South Wales in 1836. Wright went to sea as an apprentice, returning to Australia in 1852 and working in the gold fields of Victoria and New South Wales for three years. He married Alice Marcia Williams on 19 December 1864.

Politics

In 1873 Wright was elected as an alderman for the Municipality of Redfern. At a by-election in 1882 he was elected as a member for Redfern in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. was Postmaster-General in the Stuart ministry from January to May 1883, and Secretary for Public Works from that date till October 1885, when he joined the Dibbs ministry, and held office as Minister for Public Instruction until December 1885. He was defeated for Redfern in 1885.
He returned to politics as a Protectionist candidate for Glen Innes in 1889, winning the seat, and retaining it until his death.
Wright died in Ryde, Sydney on 1 October 1903.