Deakin, Alfred (1856-1919)

Australian politician, prime minister 1903-04, 1905-08, and 1909-10. In his second administration, he enacted legislation on defence and pensions.

Educated at Melbourne University, he worked first as a barrister and then journalist before being elected to the Victorian parliament as a Liberal, in 1879. He held ministerial posts in the 1880s and entered the Commonwealth parliament in 1901, holding his seat until 1912.