The Downer family have played a prominent role in South Australian and Australian politics. Their earliest ancestors were Mary Ann Downer (1792–1868) and her son Henry Downer, a tailor (1811–1870), who travelled from England to Australia in 1862, settling in Adelaide.
Name Birth name Alive Occupation Office Parents Spouse NotesHenry DownerHenry Downer1811–1870TailorJane FieldArrived from England aboard the Eden on 24 February 1838Naval Tailor Fathers a Political Dynasty: Henry DOWNER (1811‐1870) & Jane FIELD (1806‐1861), The Pioneers Association of South Australia Inc. Retrieved 13 March 2016George DownerAlexander George Downer1839–1916Barrister, journalist, businessmanHenry Downer and Jane Downer (née Field)unmarriedJohn DownerJohn William Downer1843–1915Partner in the legal firm G & J DownerPremier of South Australia 1885 – 1887, 1892 – 1893Henry Downer and Jane Downer (née Field)Elizabeth HendersonUna Stella Haslingden RussellUna Russell remarried in 1919, to D’Arcy Wentworth Addison.Henry Edward Downer1836–1905lawyer, businessman, politicianHenry Downer and Jane Downer (née Field)Maria Martin HaggarAlick DownerAlexander Russell Downer1910–1981Minister for Immigration, Australian 1958 – 1963 High Commissioner in London 1964 – 1972John William Downer and Una Stella Haslingden Downer (née Russell)Mary Isobel GosseMary DownerMary Isobel Gosse1924–2014James Hay Gosse and Joanna Lang Gosse (née Barr Smith)Alick DownerAlexander Downer1951 –Minister for Foreign Affairs 1996 – 2007 Opposition Leader (Liberal Party) 1994 – 1995Alick Downer and Mary Downer (née Gosse)Nicola RobinsonGeorgina DownerGeorgina Mary Beatrice Downer1979–Lawyer, diplomat, political adviserAlexander Downer and Nicola Rosemary "Nicky" Downer (née Robinson)Will HeathContested elections in 2018 and 2019 for Mayo as the endorsed Liberal candidate, in both cases unsuccessfully.
See also Political families of Australia
References
External links The Alexander Downer Archival Collection at the University of South Australia Library