Biographical entry Don, Charles Jardine (1820 - 1866)

Summary

Born on the 12th June 1820 in Forfarshire, Scotland, Don grew to become an avid reader of radical writers of the day and became a notorious street orator throughout Scotland. In 1853 Don and his young family migrated to Melbourne to try their luck on the Ballarat gold-fields. Returning to Melbourne by 1855, Don had joined the Stonemasons' Union, becoming chairman in 1858. In 1857 he attained the office of Secretary of the United Trades' Association and again in 1858, became Vice-president of the Victorian Eight Hours Labor League. By 1859, Don had moved into politics, winning the seat of Collingwood and claiming to be the first of his class represented "in any legislature within the British Empire". Fighting to have an Eight Hour clause enshrined in government contracts became a major goal for Don. By 1864, however, he had lost his seat. Two years later, in Collingwood, Don died of pulmonary consumption, aged just forty-six.

Published resources

Books

• Shiel, Des, Charles Jardine Don, The People's Man: A Synopsis, Garravembi Press, Melbourne, 1994. Details