Inglis, James, 1845 – 1908

James Inglis (1845-1908), merchant, author and parliamentarian, was born at Forfarshire, Scotland, son of the Rev. Robert Inglis and his wife Helen. He was educated in Scotland before travelling to New Zealand at nineteen. In NZ he worked at Timaru and joined the gold rushes before travelling to India in 1866 where his brother Alexander was a tea merchant. Inglis became an indigo planter and published verse under the pseudonym 'Maori'. He left India in 1877 and travelled to Australia to write for various journals and newspapers.

Inglis first traded as a merchant, Inglis Brown & Co., but after that company was sold he set up as James Inglis & Co. James Inglis & Co. imported and sold vast quantities of Indian teas including their well known trademark brand 'Billy Tea'. In order to promote the product Inglis bought a selection of lyrics from publisher Angus & Robertson and chose 'Waltzing Matilda' to wrap around 'Billy Tea' as a free gift. In 1884 he bought 'Craigo' at Strathfield, Sydney.

Inglis was elected a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly for the seat of New England (1885-1894) and was appointed Minister for Public Instruction (1887-1889). [ref:ADB 4]