Philp, Robert, Sir, 1851-1922

Premier of Queensland 1899-1907; entered into partnership with James Burns to form the company of Burns, Philp & Co.; elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly as the member for Musgrave 1886.

Born in Glasgow Robert Philp came to Australia as a child in 1862. In 1874 he joined the business of Sir James Burns. In 1876 Burns made him a partner. The company Burns Philp prospered until 1892 when Philp got into financial difficulties. Apart from his business interests, Philp was also active in politics. In 1886 he won the seat of Musgrave. Between 1893 and 1903 he was secretary for mines; public works 1893-1896; public instruction 1894-1895; railways 1895-1897; treasurer 1898-1899, 1899-1901, 1907-1908; Premier 1899-1903, 1907-1908; Chief Secretary 1901-1903, 1907-1908.

On 1 February 1878 Robert Philp married Jessie Bannister, daughter of James Campbell. She died in 1890 during childbirth. In 1898 Philp married Wilhelmina Fraser Munro, his late wife's cousin. Philp died in 1922 after an abdominal operation, he was survived by his wife and two sons and five daughters from his previous marriage. Biographical history compiled with the assistance of the Australian Dictionary of Biography, v. 11, University of Melbourne Press,1988.

Born in Glasgow Robert Philp came to Australia as a child in 1862. In 1874 he joined the business of Sir James Burns. In 1876 Burns made him a partner. The company Burns Philp prospered until 1892 when Philp got into financial difficulties. Apart from his business interests, Philp was also active in politics. In 1886 he won the seat of Musgrave. Between 1893 and 1903 he was secretary for mines; public works 1893-1896; public instruction 1894-1895; railways 1895-1897; treasurer 1898-1899, 1899-1901, 1907-1908; Premier 1899-1903, 1907-1908; Chief Secretary 1901-1903, 1907-1908.

On 1 February 1878 Robert Philp married Jessie Bannister, daughter of James Campbell. She died in 1890 during childbirth. In 1898 Philp married Wilhelmina Fraser Munro, his late wife's cousin. Philp died in 1922 after an abdominal operation, he was survived by his wife and two sons and five daughters from his previous marriage. Biographical history compiled with the assistance of the Australian Dictionary of Biography, v. 11, University of Melbourne Press,1988.