BARTON, SIR EDMUND (1849-1920), Australian lawyer and statesman, was born in Sydney Jan. 18 1849. Educated at the grammar school and university there, he was called to the bar in 1871, becoming a Q.C. in 188g. He was elected to the New South Wales legislature by the University of Sydney in From 1883 to 1887 he was speaker of the house of assembly; and in 1889 he became attorney-general. In 1896 he had succeeded Sir Henry Parkes as leader of the Federation movement ; and in 1900 he led the delegation which presented the Commonwealth Constitution bill to the Parliament in London. The following year he became Australia's first Federal prime minister. He held office for two years, when he was made senior puisne judge of the high court of Australia, being succeeded in the premiership by Alfred Deakin. Sir Edmund was throughout his career an ardent supporter of imperial preference and an advocate of protection. He died suddenly at Medlow Bath, near Sydney, Jan. 6 1920. Known affectionately as the Father of Australia, he inspired throughout his long career as a politician a deep personal devotion. See H. G. Turner, The First Decade of the Australian Common wealth (i9ii).