Andrew Fisher (1862-1928)

Prime Minister of Australia

Andrew Fisher was Prime Minister of Australia from 1908 to 1909, 1910 to 1913 and 1914 to 1915. He was born in Scotland where he became a miner and joined the local trade union. Involvement in strikes to improve wages and conditions led to him losing his job and he emigrated to Australia with one of his brothers in 1885. After a successful political career in the Labor Party he became High Commissioner to the United Kingdom in 1916. On retirement he moved to London and died there on 22 October 1928. He was buried in Hampstead cemetery.

Birth in 1862

Andrew Fisher was born on 29 August 1862, the son of Robert Fisher, coal miner and Jane Garven. The entry in the statutory register of births for Kilmaurs in the county of Ayrshire gives his place of birth as Crosshouse.

Birth entry for Andrew Fisher (34 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, 1862/598/95

1871 and 1881 Censuses

In 1871 Andrew Fisher, 8, scholar was living with his family in Kilmaurs. His three brothers were also at school and the household schedule includes two younger sisters.

1871 Census record for Andrew Fisher (36 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, 1871/598/2, page 17

In 1881 Andrew Fisher, aged 18, coal miner was again with his family in Kilmaurs. His mother's name is recorded as Jean. The household schedule continues onto the next page and lists another brother, aged 14 but already a miner and three younger siblings.

1881 Census record for Andrew Fisher (23 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, 1881/598/2, page 18