Henry George Barwell Paintings

Henry George Barwell was not an artist by profession, but rather a significant political figure in Australian history, serving as the Premier of South Australia from 1920 to 1924. Born on February 26, 1877, in Adelaide, South Australia, Barwell was educated at Prince Alfred College and later pursued a career in law. He was admitted to the bar in 1901 and quickly became involved in local politics.

Barwell's political career spanned several decades during which he was a member of the Liberal Union, a political party that later merged into the Liberal Federation. He was elected to the South Australian House of Assembly for the electoral district of Stanley in 1915. During World War I, he served as a captain in the Australian Imperial Force.

After the war, Barwell became the leader of the Liberal Union and subsequently the Premier of South Australia after his party won the 1920 state election. His term as Premier was marked by a focus on development policies, including the promotion of agricultural expansion and infrastructure improvements. He was also involved in the establishment of the South Australian Housing Trust, which was created to provide affordable housing options.

Barwell's tenure as Premier ended in 1924, and he subsequently served as the Agent-General for South Australia in London from 1924 to 1927. After his return to Australia, he continued his legal practice and remained active in various public roles, including as a board member of the Adelaide Festival of Arts.

Henry George Barwell passed away on June 30, 1959, leaving behind a legacy as a public servant rather than an artistic one. While he is not remembered for contributions to the arts as an artist himself, his time in public office may have intersected with cultural policy and development during the early 20th century in South Australia.