William Weston (Australian politician)

For others of this name, see William Weston (disambiguation).

William Pritchard Weston (1804 – 21 February 1888) was the third Premier of Tasmania.

Born in Shoreditch, England, Weston emigrated to Tasmania in about 1830, purchasing a property near Longford, and lived there for several years. He also received a grant of 2500 acres (10 km²). He was made a magistrate and with the Rev. John West took a prominent part in the formation of the anti-transportation league which between 1849 and 1853 had an important influence in the success of this movement. Holding office on two different occasions. Weston was elected to parliament at the original opening, in 1856 in the electoral district of Ringwood. He served for a short term as Premier from 25 April 1857 until 12 May 1857. He resigned his seat in the Tasmanian House of Assembly on 20 May 1857, instead taking a position in the Tasmanian Legislative Council as the member for Longford on 19 May 1857. He became Premier again on 1 November 1860 holding the position until 2 August 1861. He resigned from the Tasmanian Parliament altogether and later moved to Victoria, dying in St Kilda. He was survived by a son and five daughters.

References

• Parliamentary Library profile

Political offices
Preceded by Thomas Gregson	Premier of Tasmania 1857	Succeeded by Francis Smith
Preceded by Francis Smith	Premier of Tasmania 1860–1861	Succeeded by Thomas Chapman
Tasmanian Legislative Council
Preceded by Robert Kermode	Member for Longford 1857–1861	Succeeded by Joseph Archer