The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Smith, Robert Murray
Smith, Robert Murray, C.M.G., M.A., sometime Agent-General for Victoria, is the son of the late Alexander Smith, of Liverpool, and was born in 1831. He was educated at Repton School and at Oriel College, Oxford, of which he became scholar, but relinquished the further prosecution of a university course, owing to family reasons rendering it desirable for him to go into commerce. In 1883, however, the University conferred on him the honorary degree of M.A. Having emigrated to Victoria in 1854, he took a leading part in public affairs as a Conservative and Free-trader, and was returned to the Legislative Assembly for St. Kilda in 1873. Four years later he was defeated at the General Election, which placed the Berry party in power, but was returned for Boroondara later in 1877, at the bye-election rendered necessary by the death of Mr. G. P. Smith. His opponent on this occasion was Mr. Knipe, an auctioneer in Melbourne, whom he defeated by a large majority. Mr. Smith had meantime been a partner in the mercantile firm of Turnbull, Smith & Co., and on retiring from the concern was for some years manager of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company's business in Melbourne. Mr. Murray Smith is a man of considerable literary taste, and has contributed to the Melbourne Review. He was also one of the trustees of the Argus newspaper nominated under the will of the late Edward Wilson. In 1881 Mr. Murray Smith, who had been associated with Mr. Francis in the joint leadership of the Conservative Opposition, took an active part in support of Sir Bryan O'Loghlen's motion of want of confidence in the third Berry Ministry, and when it was carried, and the Government retired, it was anticipated that he might assume the premiership. Ultimately, however, the O'Loghlen Ministry was formed, and Mr. Murray Smith did not take political office. The next year, however, he was appointed Agent-General of the colony of Victoria in London, and held the position until Feb. 1886, when his term was renewed at his own request for one year only. As Agent-General Mr. Murray Smith took a prominent part in the negotiations respecting the annexation of New Guinea, the influx of Recedivists into the islands of the Western Pacific, the Anglo-French control of the New Hebrides, and the passage through the Imperial Parliament of the Federal Council of Australasia Bill. Prior to his leaving England in the early part of 1886, he was entertained at a public banquet at the Freemasons' Tavern, presided over by the Duke of Cambridge and attended by all the leading colonists and persons connected with the Australasian colonies in London. Mr. Murray Smith has not re-entered Parliament since his return to Victoria. He married in 1858 Jane, daughter of the late Hon. J. F. Strachan, M.L.C. (q.v.). In 1884 he was created C.M.G.