Alexander Anderson Stewart

Sir Alexander Anderson Stewart
KB
Born(1874-05-31)31 May 1874
Aberdeen, Scotland
Died6 May 1956(1956-05-06) (aged 81)
East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Resting placeBrighton General Cemetery, Melbourne
OccupationsEngineer; industrialist; company director
Known forFounding figure of Australia’s industrial gases industry; first chairman of Commonwealth Industrial Gases (CIG)
Board member of
Spouses
  • Grace Mary Cuming (m. 1900; deceased)
  • Sybil Mary Vera Nunn (m. 1935)
AwardsKnight Bachelor (1937)

Sir Alexander Anderson Stewart (31 May 1874 – 6 May 1956) was a Scottish-born Australian engineer, industrialist and company director. After emigrating to Victoria in 1898 he rose to prominence in heavy industry, pioneering the commercial production of oxygen and acetylene and becoming the inaugural chairman of Commonwealth Industrial Gases (CIG). A leading Collins House Group director, he held senior roles across fertilisers, chemicals and mining, and was a long-serving office-bearer at The Alfred Hospital, where he was treasurer (1932–42) and president (1942–52).[1] He was knighted in 1937 for services to industry and public life.[2][3]

Early life and engineering training

Stewart was born at Aberdeen, Scotland, on 31 May 1874, and educated at the local grammar school. He was apprenticed as a mechanical engineer and obtained further practical experience in England before emigrating to Victoria in 1898.[2]

Engineering and industrial career

Settling in Melbourne’s west, Stewart became chief engineer at the Michaelis Hallenstein tannery at Footscray. In 1903 he went into partnership with William Fyvie as Fyvie & Stewart, engineers and contractors, later trading as Alex. Stewart & Co.[4]

Recognising opportunities in industrial gases, Stewart secured German patents and plant designs and, with British Oxygen interests, helped form the Commonwealth Oxygen Company in 1911. In 1935 a reorganisation and merger created Commonwealth Industrial Gases (CIG), of which Stewart was the first chairman. Through these ventures he was central to establishing oxygen and acetylene manufacture for Australian industry and medicine.[2][5]

Company directorships and Collins House

Following the death of his father-in-law James Cuming (1835–1911), Stewart joined the board of Cuming, Smith & Co. He later held directorships (often chairing committees) with Commonwealth Fertilisers and Chemicals, Australian Fertilizers, Industrial Chemicals Ltd (subsequently ICI in Australasia), Dunlop [6] , and Broken Hill South, among others. He moved within the Collins House business network.[2][7]

Public service and philanthropy

Stewart served on federal wartime industrial and munitions panels during the Second World War. He was treasurer of The Alfred Hospital (1932–42) and president (1942–52), and sat on the Felton Bequest committee. His portrait by Max Meldrum reflects his public prominence.[2][8]

Honours

Stewart was appointed a Knight Bachelor in 1937 in recognition of his services to industry and public affairs.[2][9]

Personal life

On 16 February 1900 Stewart married Grace Mary Cuming, daughter of industrialist James Cuming (1835–1911).

Death

Stewart died at East Melbourne on 6 May 1956 and was buried in Brighton General Cemetery, Melbourne.[2][10]

Legacy

Stewart’s engineering entrepreneurship helped establish the Australian industrial gases sector and consolidated key fertiliser and chemical enterprises. His hospital and philanthropic work, particularly at The Alfred and through the Felton Bequest, were significant 20th Century contributions, and support his standing as a civic leader.[2][11]

References

  1. ^ "HONOURS". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 1 February 1937. p. 9. Retrieved 9 September 2025 – via Trove. There are three Knights Bachelor: … Sir Alexander Anderson Stewart …
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Stewart, Sir Alexander Anderson (1874–1956)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  3. ^ "Stewart, Alexander Anderson". Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation. University of Melbourne eScholarship Research Centre. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  4. ^ "Fyvie and Stewart (engineers)". Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation. Australian Academy of Science. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  5. ^ "Commonwealth Industrial Gases Ltd (CIG)". Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  6. ^ "Former Dunlop chairman dies". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne. 7 May 1956. p. 1. Retrieved 9 September 2025 – via Trove. He resigned a few months ago as chairman of Dunlop Rubber Co. Australia Ltd., but retained his position on the board.
  7. ^ "Imperial Chemical Industries of Australia & New Zealand Limited (1928–)". Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  8. ^ "Felton Bequest National Gallery of Victoria" (PDF). Quarterly Bulletin of the National Gallery of Victoria. 3 (2). National Gallery of Victoria. 1948. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  9. ^ "NEW YEAR HONORS". Dungog Chronicle: Durham and Gloucester Advertiser. NSW. 2 February 1937. p. 2. Retrieved 8 September 2025 – via Trove.
  10. ^ "Family Notices". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne. 8 May 1956. p. 13. Retrieved 9 September 2025 – via Trove. A Funeral Service for the late Sir Alexander Anderson Stewart will be held at the Toorak Presbyterian Church ... after which a private interment will take place at the Brighton General Cemetery.
  11. ^ "Stewart, Alexander Anderson Australian dictionary of biography, volume 12: 1891 - 1939 Smy-Z". Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation. University of Melbourne eScholarship Research Centre. Retrieved 8 September 2025.

Further reading

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