X-Nico

unusual facts about Father of the House


Welbore Ellis, 1st Baron Mendip

In 1784, he became the longest-serving member of the House of Commons (having served for 34 years noncontinuously), becoming the honorary Father of the House.


Joint Sitting of the Australian Parliament of 1974

The only parliamentarian who took part in the Joint Sitting who is still serving today is the Father of the House and of the Parliament, Philip Ruddock, who had been elected to the House of Representatives in 1973.


see also

Father of the Australian House of Representatives

That occurred on 8 April 1935 with the death of David Watkins, leaving Billy Hughes as the inaugural Father of the House of Representatives.

Hugh O'Neill

Hugh O'Neill, 1st Baron Rathcavan (1883–1982), Ulster Unionist politician who served as Father of the House of Commons