Forrest, John (1847-1918)

Australian explorer and politician. He crossed Western Australia from west to east in 1870, when he went along the south coast route, and in 1874, when he crossed much further north, exploring the Musgrave Ranges. He was born in Western Australia, and was its first premier 1890-1901, enfranchising women in 1899. Knighted 1891, Baron 1918.

A trained surveyor, he was surveyor general 1883-90. He sat in the federal parliament 1901-18, being treasurer (finance minister) in five governments, and emerged as a staunch protectionist. In 1918 he was the first Australian-born person to become a peer, but died at sea, on his way to England, before taking up his seat in the House of Lords.