David Buchanan (politician)

David Buchanan (1823 – 4 April 1890) was a barrister and politician in colonial New South Wales, a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and later, the New South Wales Legislative Council.[1]

Buchanan was born in Edinburgh, Mid-Lothian, Scotland, the fifth son of William Buchanan, a barrister, and his wife Catherine, née Gregory.[1] Buchanan was educated at the Edinburgh High School.[2]

Buchanan emigrated to Australia in 1852,[2] and was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as member for Morpeth on 14 December 1860,[3] and represented East Macquarie, from 6 October 1864 to 1 August 1867).[3] He went to England in 1867, and entered at the Middle Temple in November of that year, being called to the bar in June 1869.[2] He then returned to New South Wales, and practised his profession,[2] being elected to the Legislative Assembly for East Sydney (3 December 1869 to 3 February 1872), and for Goldfields West (25 March 1872 to 12 October 1877).[3] Though defeated at 1879 Mudgee by-election,[2] the election was overturned by the Committee of Elections and Qualifications and Buchanan was declared duly elected in March 1879,[4] a seat he held until 7 October 1885.[3] Buchanan represented Central Cumberland from 15 May 1888 to 19 January 1889.[3]

As a politician Buchanan gained prominence by his sturdy championship of fiscal protection. He revisited England in 1886, and published a selection from his orations and speeches.[2] Having unsuccessfully contested Balmain at the general election in January 1889, he was nominated to the Legislative Council [2] on 27 February 1889, a position he held until his death.[3]