Sir John Winthrop Hackett

Description

Biographical informationBorn in County Wicklow, Ireland, in 1848, John Winthrop Hackett was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated with a B.A. in 1871 and M.A. 1874. Migrating to Australia, he took up journalism before becoming vice-principal and tutor in law, logic and political economy at Trinity College, Melbourne. After an unsuccessful incursion into Victorian politics Hackett moved to Western Australia in 1882. He became joint owner of the West Australian newspaper in 1883, and in 1887 editor. Nominated to the Legislative Council in 1890, he remained an elected representative until his death.

Hackett used his considerable influence as a journalist and as a politician to promote the early establishment of a University in Western Australia and he was appointed Chairman of the Royal Commission set up in 1909 to report its foundation. When the University was opened in 1912, he became its first Chancellor, occupying that position until his death in 1916.

During this period Hackett made his first substantial benefaction to the University by endowing the Chair of Agriculture. Under his will a bequest to the Church of England paid for the building of St. George's College, the first residential college within the University. The residue of his estate, amounting to £425,000, was bequeathed to the University. Of this sum, £200,000 (with accrued interest) was used for the erection of the group of buildings which include Winthrop Hall and Hackett Hall, while the remainder was allocated to providing scholarships, bursaries and other financial held for deserving students.

Hackett was awarded an honorary LLD by Trinity College, Dublin, in 1902. He was knighted in 1911 and created K.C.M.G in 1913.

The Hackett Memorial Buildings including both Winthrop Hall and Hackett Hall and the Administration Building are named for Sir John Winthrop Hackett.Honorifics (Titles)SirPost-nominalsKCMGB.A.M.A.Hon.LLDDate of birth4th February 1848Date of death19th February 1916

2054P - Photographic Portrait of Sir Winthrop Hackett

Employment

Job titleChancellorEmployerThe University of Western AustraliaDate employed1912 to 1916

Family

ParentReverend John Winthrop HackettJane Sophia HackettSpouseDeborah Vernon Hackett

Connections

Is referenced byPersonalities and places on Crawley CampusRelated collectionFormer ChancellorsRelated item2053P - Portrait of Sir Winthrop Hackett2054P - Photographic Portrait of Sir Winthrop Hackett62804P - Plaques on Crawley Campus Project - Winthrop Hall Foundation Stone - Winthrop Hall62803P - Plaques on Crawley Campus Project - Winthrop Hall Medallion - Winthrop Hall62814P - Plaques on Crawley Campus Project - Hackett Memorial Buildings Foundation Stone - Hackett BuildingBlack Swan Vol. 13, Issue 1, June 1929Black Swan - June 1932Campus at Crawley : a narrative and critical appreciation of the first fifty years of the University of Western AustraliaCampus in the community : the University of Western Australia, 1963-1987

Item information

ContributorUniversity ArchivesSource of informationAustralian Dictionary of BiographyWinthrop Hackett: the first bequest

Significant place

RelationPlace of birthPlaceWicklow, IrelandDate4th February 1848

Significant place

RelationImmigrated toPlaceSydney (N.S.W.)Date1875

Significant place

RelationPlace of deathPlacePerth (W.A.)Date19th February 1916

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Sir John Winthrop Hackett

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA