---
node: au_henry_parkes
type: person
slug: henry_parkes
title: "Henry Parkes"
lead: "The New South Wales statesman who championed the union of the colonies and is called the Father of Federation."
published: 2026-07-15
updated: 2026-07-15
image_file: henry_parkes.jpg
image_source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Henry_Parkes_by_Henry_Walter_Barnett.jpg"
image_author: "Henry Walter Barnett"
image_license: "Public domain"
---

## Who they were

An immigrant from Britain, Parkes entered politics after running newspapers and businesses and served five times as premier of New South Wales, working to build up schooling and other institutions.

## What they did

He argued that the colonies suffered from being divided and pressed steadily for union. His Tenterfield Oration of 1889 gave the federation movement great momentum.

## Legacy

Parkes died in 1896 without seeing Federation, which came five years later. He is remembered as the Father of Federation.