The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Duffy, Hon. John Gavan
Duffy, Hon. John Gavan, M.L.A., eldest son of the above, was born in Dublin in 1844, and was educated at Stonyhurst. In 1859 he went to Victoria, where he took the Vice-Chancellor's prize for the best English essay at the Melbourne University. He is in practice as a solicitor in Melbourne, and has represented Dalhousie in the Legislative Assembly since 1874. He is a moderate Liberal and Freetrader, and was Minister of Agriculture in Mr. Service's first Government from March to August 1880. He was Postmaster-General in the Munro Government from Nov. 1890 to Feb. 1892, when he took office as Attorney-General under Mr. Shiels. In April 1892, however, he resigned with a view of becoming a candidate for the Speakership of the Legislative Assembly. He was, however, defeated without a division, and was readmitted to the Shiels Cabinet as a Minister without portfolio in May 1892.