Thomas Turner à Beckett

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Thomas Turner à Beckett (13 September 1808 in London, England - 1 July 1892) was an Australian lawyer. He was the brother of Sir William à Beckett and Gilbert Abbott à Beckett. His eldest son was Thomas à Beckett was a solicitor.

He was educated at Westminster School. In 1829 he joined his father in practice as a solicitor. Beckett migrated to Victoria, Australia in 1850 and was called to The Bar (of Victoria) a year later. From 1852 to 1855 he was a nominee member of the Victorian Legislative Council. In 1858 Beckett was elected by the Central Province to the new council - this was a seat he held until 1878.

Beckett was in office twice when he was a Minister without portfolio from 1860 to 1861 and the Commissioner for Trade and Customs 1870 until 1871. In 1870 he was chairman of the Royal Commission on the civil service. Between 1854 and 1887 Beckett was the Registrar of the diocese of Melbourne as well as for a part of this time becoming a member of the University Council and he became the trustee of the Public Library.

He retired from the Legislative council political life during 1878 and from all public duties in 1887, at the age of 79 years.

[edit] Sources

• Australian Encyclopædia (1912 - third edition revised 1927) published by Angus & Robertson Limited, 89 Castlereagh Street, Sydney New South Wales (page 1)