Arthur, Richard, 1865 – 1932

Dr. Richard Arthur (1865-1932), medical practitioner and parliamentarian, was born at Aldershot in England and completed his medical training at the University of Edinburgh. He travelled to Australia where he met and married Jessie Sinclair Bruce in 1890. After travelling to Europe the couple returned to Australia where he established a medical practice at Mosman, Sydney.

Arthur was an honorary medical officer at Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney Hospital and a director of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (1917-1920 and 1927-1931) and Sydney Hospital (1924-1932). He supported the temperance movement, free trade, land reform and increased migration and closer land settlement. Having opposed the Boer War Arthur supported the government's involvement in World War I but concentrated his efforts on the health and welfare of returned servicemen. Arthur was a eugenicist who wrote pamphlets on social purity.

Arthur was elected member of the NSW Legislative Assembly in the seats of Middle Harbour (1904-1920), North Shore (1920-1927) and Mosman (1927-1932). Arthur was Minister for Public Health (1927-1930) in the Bavin government.