Sir Arthur Blyth

9th Premier of South Australia

South Australia’s 9th premier, Arthur Blyth, held office for three non-consecutive terms: seven months in 1864–65, three months in 1871–72 and then from 1873–75. Blyth served on the old part-elective Legislative Council as the member for Yatala. After responsible government was established, he entered the House of Assembly representing Gumeracha and, later, North Adelaide. Blyth was the founder of the Adelaide Club, an exclusive gentleman’s club whose membership consisted of pastoralists, business men, lawyers, and government officials, most of whom were, like Blyth, Anglicans. Despite the fact that he holds the record for the highest number of portfolios managed in the first 40 years of government in South Australia, his legacy is noted to be minimal.