William Forgan SmithPrint Page

The plaque commemorates William Forgan Smith, a former Premier of Queensland. The plaque is held in the Forgan Smith Building which was named in his honour. 

William Forgan Smith (15 April 1887 – 23 September 1953) was Premier of Queensland from 1932 to 1942. He came to dominate politics in the state during the 1930s, and his populism, firm leadership, defence of states' rights and interest in state development make him something of an archetypal Queensland Premier. He represented the Australian Labor Party (ALP). 

Throughout his premiership Forgan Smith displayed a personal concern with the development of the University of Queensland. He encouraged its relocation and sponsored new faculties such as medicine, veterinary science, agriculture and physical education. However, despite his honorary doctorate of laws in 1935, relations between him and the university senate were often acrimonious, especially over funding.

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