Alexander George Downer, usually known as George, or A. G. Downer, was a South Australian businessman and a partner with his brother Sir John Downer in the legal firm G & J Downer.
Occupation
lawyer, business executive, farmer, businessperson
Citizenship
Australia, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Alexander George Downer (28 January 1839 – 17 August 1916), usually known as George, or A. G. Downer, was a prominent South Australian businessman and a partner with his brother Sir John Downer in the legal firm G & J Downer.
History
George Downer was born in Adelaide, the eldest of four sons of Henry Downer, the others being Henry Edward Downer (22 March 1836 – 4 August 1905), John William Downer (1843–1915), and Harold Field Downer (1847 – 23 May 1887). He was educated at Francis Haire's Academy and while quite young was articled to the firm of Bartley, Bakewell & Stow, whose principals included Randolph Isham Stow. He combined study of law, for which he had a ready talent, with journalism, and was for a time editor of the (Adelaide) Telegraph. He was admitted to the bar in 1868. His brother John had only recently qualified and the two entered into partnership. The firm G & J Downer prospered and was eventually taken over by Frank H. and J. Fred Downer, sons of his brothers Henry Edward and John respectively.
His only attempt at a position in Parliament was in 1870 when he contested the seat of Gumeracha against Ebenezer Ward and Arthur Blyth. He was unsuccessful.
Around 1880 he was appointed by the government to a Pastoral Commission and was in a large part responsible for lengthening the tenure of leases of Crown lands.
