University of Tasmania < BackspaceHome
ContactspaceSearch
Andrew Inglis Clark

Clark had to make his own way in the world. He trained for the law, taking his articles with R. P. Adams, but his broader education depended very much on his own initiative. He read widely, participated enthusiastically in local literary societies, and edited 'Quadrilateral' (right), a literary, philosophical and political journal.
Clark was radical for his times, a firm democrat and republican. He was inspired by the Italian Risorgimento, and Joseph Mazzini was a special hero. A member of the American Club, he celebrated with friends the centenary of the Declaration of American Independence in 1876 with a rousing speech in favour of the principles of the American Revolution and their applicability to Australia.

Clark's photograph album
Clark family album

Despite his reputation as an ‘extreme ultra-republican’, Clark was elected to the House of Assembly in 1878, largely through the influence of the midlands landowner Thomas Reiby. He was an active politician and campaigner for liberal causes. He was a leading light of the Southern Tasmanian Political Reform Association (1885) which lobbied for manhood suffrage, fixed term parliaments and electoral reform. His political career culminated as Attorney-General in the P.O. Fysh and E. M. Braddon ministries, 1887-92 and 1894-7.

 


Clark's Commonplace book. Enlarge image.

 



'The Quadrilateral' journal

'The Quadrilateral' journal (1874 volume) edited by Clark
Tasmaniana Collection, State Library of Tasmania
Click
on image to enlarge

See also Clark and Chess

 

Clark's photograph album
Album showing photographs of Reverend James Martineau (left), Unitarian clergyman greatly admired by Clark and Guiseppe Mazzini, (right), Italian republican and hero of Clark.

 

telegram to Clark, 1878
Telegram congratulating Clark on his election to the House of Assembly
in 1878 from E.W. O'Sullivan who was later prominent in NSW politics.
Click photo to enlarge

 

 

   

 

 

_

Last Modified: 27-Oct-2003