25. Sir Charles Samuel Nathan (1870-1936), statesman
Charles Nathan was born in Melbourne and received his education in New Zealand. He travelled to Perth in 1894, finding employment in the engineering industry.
Nathan was a member of the East Fremantle Municipal Council from 1902 to 1905 and was later elected Mayor of Perth in 1911. In 1911 he purchased Atkins Pty Ltd (WA), a leading mercantile and engineering enterprise. During World War I he was a member of the Trench Comforts fund, the War Loans Campaign, the YMCA and was co-founder of the State branch of the Australian Red Cross.
During his term as Chairman of the W.A. Council of Industrial Development from 1920 to 1923, Nathan led a State trade delegation to Malaya and Java, one of the first official delegations to the area. He served as an Australian commissioner for the British Empire Exhibition for two years, and in 1926-1927 he was a “meticulous and methodical vice-chairman” of the Commonwealth Development and Migration Commission.
Nathan was elected to the Metropolitan Suburban seat in the Legislative Council for the term 1930-1934, and was an outspoken opponent of the secession movement. He was known for his personal integrity and modesty and his political and business acumen.
Charles Nathan was knighted in 1928 for his service to industry and the community.