Richard John Seddon
At a glance:
- Series: Dictionary of World Biography: The 19th Century
- Categories: Government and Politics
- Subcategories: Politicians, Diplomats, Presidents, Prime Ministers
- Curriculum: 19th Century European History, British History, Australian/New Zealand History
Article abstract: The first New Zealand prime minister who was not a “gentleman,” Seddon completely dominated politics between 1893 and 1906. Astute, domineering, and incredibly popular, Seddon laid the foundation of the first social democratic, egalitarian welfare state in the world.
Early Life
Richard John Seddon was born June 22, 1845, at Eccleston, St. Helens, Lancashire, England, the second son of Thomas Seddon, the headmaster of Eccleston Hill Grammar School, and his Scottish wife, Jane Lindsay of Annan, Dumfriesshire. Jane, who had lost a leg...
[The entire page is 2470 words long]