CROWTHER, WILLIAM LODEWYK (1817-1885), premier of Tasmania,

was the son of William Crowther, for many years resident surgeon at Hobart. He was born at Haarlem, Holland, on 15 April 1817 and came to Tasmania with his parents in 1824. He was educated at a private school at Longford and then went to England to study medicine. In 1842 he returned to Tasmania and practised at Hobart. He was elected a member of the house of assembly in October 1866, but two months later resigned his seat. In March 1869 he was elected to the legislative council as a representative of Hobart and held this seat until his death. He was a constant attendant and an able speaker. In July 1876 he joined the Reibey (q.v.) cabinet as a minister without portfolio, and on 20 December 1878 became premier. In the state of parties in that period it was practically impossible to do anything constructive. Crowther resigned on 29 October 1879 and did not again hold office. He died at Hobart on 12 April 1885. He married Victoria Marie Louise, daughter of General Muller, who survived him with eight children. There is a statue in his memory at Hobart. One of his sons, Dr E. L. Crowther, was an able member of the Tasmanian parliament for many years, and a leading citizen of Hobart.