Donald Mackinnon

For other people named Donald MacKinnon, see Donald MacKinnon (disambiguation).

Donald MacKinnon (29 September 1859 – 25 April 1932) was an Australian politician.

McKinnon in 1924

Early life

Born at Marida Yallock near Boorcan in Victoria to grazier David Mackinnon and Jane Kinross, both Scottish-born, he was educated at Geelong Grammar School, Melbourne University and New College, Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts. In 1883 he was called to the English Bar, returning to Victoria to repeat the achievement in 1884. At his father's death in 1889 he took over the family property, and also acquired grazing property in New South Wales and Queensland. On 19 August 1891 he married Hilda Eleanor Marie Bunny, sister of the artist Rupert Bunny; they had five children.

Politics

In 1900 Mackinnon was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly as the Liberal member for Prahran, serving as party leader from 1904 to 1907. He was Attorney-General of Victoria and Solicitor-General of Victoria in the William Watt and Alexander Peacock governments. He was defeated in 1920.

After the failure of the first plebiscite on conscription during World War I, Mackinnon was appointed Commonwealth Director-General of Recruiting on 29 November 1916.

Later life

Mackinnon's son Dan was a member of the Australian House of Representatives, and his grandson Donald James was also a Victorian state MP. Mackinnon died in 1932 at Toorak. His brother, James, was a first-class cricketer.