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Robert Quayle Kermode (1812–1870)

from Mercury

One of our fellow colonists, best known and most respected, has died and been carried to his resting place with befitting marks of respect and regret, since the publication of our last Summary. Mr. Robert Quayle Kermode, until lately a member of the parliament of Tasmania, and for some time a member, without departmental office, of the Cabinet, expired after a protracted illness, at his seat at Mona Vale, on the 4th instant. He had not attained any great age, for a man of vigorous frame, who had spent a well ordered life. 58 is the figure inscribed on his tomb. Mr. Kermode had played no unconscious and no unworthy part in the politics of Tasmania. Throughout his whole career, the sincerity and purity of his motives as a public man was never subject to suspicion. In his ordinary demeanor Mr. Kermode was a man singularly gentle; and his character was marked by most of the qualities that quicken and sustain strong friendships. As a representative man, he was most prominently identified with the great movement for the cessation of transportation to the colony, and for the establishment in Tasmania of free political institutions. As a member of Parliament, he attended to the duties of his position with due diligence; and although not a frequent debator, he displayed an earnestness that was inseparable from his character in whatever part he took, and commanded the respect, whether expressed or otherwise, alike of those who agreed with and those who differed from him. Mr. Kermode's kindness of heart was proverbial, and many instance's stand on record of acts dictated by a generous impulse, as well as of others inspired by a thoughtful munificence. At home, he was a gentleman of frank and genial hospitality; and amongst the most distinguished guests was His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, who was entertained at Mona Vale with princely liberality, every arrangement for his reception having been inspired by the profuse loyalty which was one of Mr. Kermode's most marked characteristics, and which on this occasion it was his special pleasure to display. Circumstances had for some time previous to his death, withdrawn Mr. Kermode from any active participation in public life, and he had passed a period in virtual retirement from the wide social circle outside his own domain, in which he been accustomed to move, and this fact had the natural effect of causing his loss to be less sensibly felt as a gap in our society. But many occasions will arise when the old familiar face that is absent will be missed and recalled to mind. And many men engaged in great and good movements, in the promotion of political reforms, and of objects of public utility, and in devices of philanthrophy and charity will think of the open hand that death has now closed! The funeral of Mr. Kermode took place on the 9th of May, and his remains rest in the cemetery at Ross, whose church his munificence had caused to erect and sustain. Robert Quayle Kermode will be one of the time honored names on our roll.

Original publication

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Citation details

'Kermode, Robert Quayle (1812–1870)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/kermode-robert-quayle-2832/text25079, accessed 29 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1812
Isle of Man, England

Death

4 May, 1870 (aged ~ 58)

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

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