Premier of Queensland from 1898 to 1901

Born in 1860 in County Wicklow, Byrnes immigrated to Australia with his family in 1868.

He became a prominent figure in Queensland politics, serving as Premier of Queensland from 1898 to 1901.

During his tenure as Premier, he implemented strict measures to combat organised crime, such as the formation of the Criminal Investigation Department and the introduction of fingerprinting for identification purposes.

His tough stance on law and order made him popular among the public and earned him the nickname “Black Tommy” referring to his stern demeanour and the black suit he often wore.

He also played a key role in the Federation of Australia, working to unite the colonies into a single nation.

Byrnes passed away in 1898 at the age of 67, having contracted measles. He left a lasting legacy in Queensland politics.

He is buried at Toowong Cemetery. Two statues were erected of Byrnes, one in Centenary Place, Brisbane, and one in Warwick.

Read more about TJ Byrnes here: https://irishqueenslander.com/2023/09/07/tj-byrnes-dons-the-irish-green-for-celticfest-warwick/