William Allan (Queensland politician)

William Allan
William Allan in his military uniform, circa 1890s
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Darling Downs
In office 29 November 1881 – 1 October 1883
Preceded by	Francis Kates
Succeeded by	Francis Kates
In office 6 September 1887 – 4 May 1888
Preceded by	William Miles
Succeeded by	Seat abolished
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Cunningham
In office 10 May 1888 – 21 March 1896
Preceded by	New seat
Succeeded by	Thomas McGahan
Member of the Queensland Legislative Council
In office 11 March 1897 – 19 October 1901
Personal details
Born	William Allan 1840 Edinburgh, Scotland
Died	19 October 1901 (aged 60 or 61) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Resting place	Waverley Cemetery
Nationality	Scottish Australian
Spouse(s)	Emila Mate (m.1871)
Occupation	Businessman
Religion	Presbyterian

William Allan (1840—1901) was a pastoralist and politician in Queensland, Australia. He was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly and a Member of the Queensland Legislative Council.

William Allan owned a pastoral property Braeside located about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) NNW of Dalveen and 21 kilometres (13 mi) SW of Warwick. He grazed cattle and sheep. He had an active breeding program to create a flock of black Merino sheep. He obtained twice the price for black wool than for white and this compensated for the slightly lower yield of fleece from the black Merino sheep.

On 1 November 1881, Francis Kates, the member for Darling Downs, resigned. William Allan was elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly at the resulting by-election on 29 November 1881. He held the seat until the 1883 election). He did not contest the 1883 election as he was returning to the United Kingdom for a holiday for the benefit of his health.

On 22 August 1887, William Miles, the member for Darling Downs, died. Allan won the resulting by-election on 6 September 1887. He held Darling Downs until 5 May 1888 (the 1888 election).

At the 1888 elections, there had been an electoral redistribution, abolishing the electorate of Darling Downs, so Allan contested the new electorate of Cunningham and was elected on 19 May 1888. He held Cunningham until 21 March 1896 (the 1896 election), which he did not contest citing health and business considerations.