Thomas Joseph Byrnes

Thomas Joseph Byrnes (11 November 1860-27 September 1898 was Premier of Queensland from April 1898 until his death, having previously served in several ministerial positions in his parliamentary career.

Byrnes was born in Spring Hill to Irish parents on 11 November 1860. Winning a scholarship, he studied at Brisbane Grammar school and then studied law in Melbourne. He returned to Brisbane in 1894 after graduating and began a successful career as a barrister. His talent brought him to the attention of fellow barrister Sir Samuel Griffith, now Premier of Queensland, who had him appointed Solicitor-General with a seat in the Legislative Council. Byrnes stood down from the Legislative Council to succesfully stand for Cairns in the Legislative Assembly in 1898.

Sir Thomas McIlwraith appointed him as Attorney-General in the Continuous Ministry, and when Hugh Nelson stepped down as Premier, Byrnes, the youngest member of the Ministry by a large margin, became Premier. Byrnes' ability had led many to expect great things of him, but he suddenly contracted pneumonia and died in September 1898.