Who they were
An immigrant from Britain, Parkes entered politics after running newspapers and businesses and served five times as premier of New South Wales, working to build up schooling and other institutions.
What they did
He argued that the colonies suffered from being divided and pressed steadily for union. His Tenterfield Oration of 1889 gave the federation movement great momentum.
Legacy
Parkes died in 1896 without seeing Federation, which came five years later. He is remembered as the Father of Federation.