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Eden George

Eden George
Eden George 01.jpg
Eden George (year unknown)
Member of the New South Wales Parliament
for Sydney-Belmore
In office
1901–1904
Preceded by James Graham
Succeeded by Constituency abolished
Member of the New South Wales Parliament
for Ashburnham
In office
1904–1907
Preceded by Joseph Reymond
Succeeded by John Lynch
19th Mayor of Christchurch
In office
21 December 1892 – 20 December 1893
Preceded by William Prudhoe
Succeeded by Thomas Gapes
Personal details
Born 18 September 1863
Forbes, New South Wales
Died 2 May 1927(1927-05-02) (aged 63)
Manly, New South Wales
Political party Progressive Party
Liberal Reform Party
Spouse(s) Ada Jane Butler
Profession Photographer

Ernest Eden George (18 September 1863 – 2 May 1927), known as Eden George, was born in New South Wales and came to New Zealand as a young man. He made his career in photography and was active in Auckland and Dunedin, but mainly in Christchurch. Entrepreneurial, combative and confrontational, he entered the political scene. In his early life, he stood at five elections to the New Zealand Parliament, but he came last at every occasion. Surprisingly, he was elected Mayor of Christchurch in 1892 without, unlike all his predecessors, having ever served as a councillor on Christchurch City Council before. He had a most difficult year, was soundly beaten at the next election and told councillors that they "should forget him, as he would forget them". Indeed, in 1906, his was the only photo of all the city's ex mayors that was not on display in the mayor's office.

After a short period in Auckland, George moved to Australia, where he continued his career as a photographer. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for six years. After his defeat, he travelled extensively.

George was born in Forbes, New South Wales to photographer and well-known cyclist William Rufus George and Bettina Holme. He attended Sydney Grammar School before becoming a photographer in c.1883 in Christchurch, New Zealand. The name of his business was George and Walton and they operated at 214 Colombo Street, which was located in the central city opposite Victoria Square. The photography studio was purpose-built and they first advertised their services as 'American Photographers' in The Press on 30 November 1883, and on occasions flew the American flag at their office. A branch studio was opened in Dunedin.


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