Henry Parkes (United in Federation)

Sir Henry Parkes, GCMG ( 27 May 1815 - 21 March 1896) was a Australian statesman and politician who is considered to be the "founding father" of Australia. An early advocate of federation, he led the movement towards nationhood, and after serving as Premier for New South Wales for 5 different occasions, he was selected as the caretaker of the Australian government by the first Governor-General, Victor Villiers, Earl of Jersey, thus making him the first Prime Minister. After winning re-election in the 1894 election, he would continue to serve until he died of a stroke on the 21st of March, 1896.