George Thornton (Australian politician)

George Thornton (23 December 1819 – 23 November 1901) was an Australian merchant and politician, serving as a Sydney Municipal Council Alderman, Mayor of Sydney and member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council.

Thornton was born in Sydney of Samuel Thornton who arrived in Sydney from England in 1814 as a free settler, following his wife who had been transported earlier that year as a punishment for larceny. A magistrate by profession, Thornton served as a director of various financial institutions such as the City Bank Of Sydney. He was elected to the Sydney Municipal Council in November 1847, and served as mayor in 1853 and 1857.^[1] Thornton was elected as a member for Sydney City from 1858 to 1859. In May 1861 he was appointed to the Legislative Council when Governor Young agreed to flood the council in support of John Robertson's land bills, but this was frustrated when the President of the Council, Sir William Burton refused to swear in the new members and resigned with others forcing the proproguement of the Council. He represented Goldfields West in 1867 and 1868. In 1877 he was appointed for life to the Council and was served as the Secretary for Mines and the Representative of Government for a month in 1885.^[2]

Thornton was the foundation President of the Sydney Rowing Club and was instrumental in the club's formation and growth from 1870 until his death.^[3] He served as President of the New South Wales Rowing Association from 1879 till his death.

Thornton died of dysentery in 1901 at Parramatta, survived by his wife and daughter.^[1]

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