James McKean (Australian politician)

James McKean (24 April 1832 – 12 June 1901) was a solicitor and politician in colonial Victoria (Australia), a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, President of the Board of Land & Works and commissioner Crown Lands & Survey from 1869 to 1870.[1]

James McKean, 1869 engraving

McKean was born in Belfast, Ireland, the son of Rev. David McKean and his wife Sarah, née Smith.[1] [2]

McKean emigrated to Victoria about 1854, and experienced a variety of the ups and downs of colonial life. In 1863 he was admitted a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria, and practised in Melbourne.[2] Mackay was returned to the Victorian Assembly for Maryborough in February 1866, holding the seat until January 1871, and was President of the Board of Land & Works and commissioner Crown Lands & Survey from 20 September 1869 to 9 April 1870[1] in the John Alexander MacPherson Ministry.[2]

McKean was elected to North Gipps Land in a May 1875 by-election.[1] During the prevalence of the "Stonewall" agitation, in 1876, McKean was committed to the custody of the Serjeant-at-Arms for disorderly conduct in defying the closure rule, and was ultimately expelled the House in June 1876 for some uncomplimentary references to his fellow-members of the Assembly, made whilst conducting a police court case.[1][2] McKean was subsequently again elected for North Gipps Land in May 1880, but was defeated at the general election in February 1883, and did not re-enter parliament, though he contested Collingwood in June 1892[2] and 1894.[1]

McKean died in East Melbourne on 12 June 1901.[1]