Charles Cowper
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Sir Charles Cowper KCMG |
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|---|---|
 |
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| 2nd Premier of New South Wales | |
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In office 26 August 1856 – 2 October 1856 |
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| Preceded by | Stuart Donaldson |
| Succeeded by | Henry Parker |
| Constituency | Sydney |
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In office 7 September 1857 – 26 October 1859 |
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| Preceded by | Henry Parker |
| Succeeded by | William Forster |
| Constituency |
Sydney (until 1859) East Sydney |
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In office 10 January 1861 – 15 October 1863 |
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| Preceded by | John Robertson |
| Succeeded by | James Martin |
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In office 3 February 1865 – 21 January 1866 |
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| Preceded by | James Martin |
| Succeeded by | James Martin |
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In office 13 January 1870 – 15 December 1870 |
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| Preceded by | John Robertson |
| Succeeded by | Sir James Martin |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
26 April 1807 Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, England, UK |
| Died | 19 October 1875 (aged 68) Kensington, London, England, UK |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse(s) | Eliza Sutton |
| Religion | Church of England |
Sir Charles Cowper, KCMG (26 April 1807 – 19 October 1875) was an Australian politician and the Premier of New South Wales on five occasions from 1856 to 1870.
Cowper did useful work but does not rank among the more distinguished Australian politicians. Cowper's governments had a fairly coherent Liberal tendency, a trend which continued with the governments of Henry Parkes and later developed into the Free Trade Party. In 1852, Parkes referred in public to his "mild, affable and benignant character". In later years he spoke of his "quick insight in dealing with surrounding circumstances, and much good humour and tact in dealing with individuals". His political adroitness was such that it secured for him the popular sobriquet of "Slippery Charley". Probably Cowper deserved this title no more than Bishop Wilberforce deserved his of "Soapy Sam", but Rusden speaks of Cowper as "ever anxious to link himself with a majority" and frequently shows animus when speaking of him. He was personally popular, and towards the end of his life the estate of Wivenhoe was purchased by public subscription and settled on his wife.
Cowper was the third son of the Rev. William Cowper and his first wife Hannah. He was born in Drypool, Hull, Yorkshire, England and was brought to Sydney by his father in 1809. Educated by his father, in 1825 he was in the public service, and when barely 19 years of age was appointed clerk of the Clergy and School Lands Corporation. He held this position for some years and in 1831 married the second daughter of Daniel Sutton. When the Clergy and School Lands Corporation was dissolved in 1833, Cowper went on the land and held extensive properties in Cumberland and Argyle counties.
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