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Sir George Wigram Allen (1824 - 85)
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Sir George Wigram Allen
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Son of Jane and the previously-named George Allen,
who was articled to his father, he entered the law practice in 1847,
which continued to expand as a thriving enterprise. He also inherited
his father's enthusiasm for religion (helping to create the YMCA),
public affairs (Member of the Legislative Council 1860-61), the
University of Sydney Senate (1878-85) and business.
G.W. Allen was also involved in the incorporation
of Glebe as a municipality, becoming its first Mayor in 1859, a
post he held for 18 years. From 1869-82 he represented Glebe in
the Legislative Assembly, was Speaker from 1875-82 and for these
many services was knighted in 1884.
During that time he sponsored the reclamation
of Wentworth Park and, together with Edmund Blacket and Glebe Council
members, was
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responsible for Glebe's water supply and gas lighting
as well as the construction of new streets. The Allens, both father and
son, were keen cricketers and built a private ground in what is now bounded
by Glebe Point and Toxteth Roads and Mansfield and Boyce Streets. It was
here that Frederick Spofforth, a great bowler who lived in Derwent Street,
frequently played.
Upon his father's death in 1877 he made extensive additions
to Toxteth Park, when a third
storey, tower and ballroom were added. However Sir George did not live
so long after his father and subsequently this stalwart Wesleyan's house,
in 1901, was sold to the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, a Benedictine
Order, which is today St. Scholastica's College. He had amassed a fortune
of 300,000 pounds by the time of his death.
Lady Allen's charitable interests helped to establish
the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, which until quite recently
focused on the health of Sydney's children -- the hospital is now closed
and the large site is developing into a new housing area to be known as
the City Quarter.
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