Frederick Maitland Innes (11 August 1816 – 11 May 1882) was an Australian politician and journalist. He was premier of Tasmania from 1872 to 1873.
Innes was born on 11 August 1816 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was the son of Prudence (née Edgerley) and Francis Innes.
Innes was educated at George Heriot's School and Kelso Grammar School. After leaving school he began working for his uncle, a manager of the estates of James Innes-Ker, 6th Duke of Roxburghe. He left Scotland in 1836 and arrived in Van Diemen's Land the following year, settling in Hobart Town.
Journalism and political views
After his arrival in the colony Innes worked on the staff of The Hobart Town Courier and the Tasmanian. He was active in the revival of the Hobart Town Mechanics' Institute and supported the expansion of education, including the creation of a university. He also supported Alexander Maconochie's prison reform efforts. He returned to England in 1839 and became secretary of the Aborigines' Protection Society.
In 1843, Innes returned to Hobart aboard Mandarin, acting as a superintendent for the Parkhurst apprentices. After a period on the Courier he became editor of the Observer in 1845, then the following year moved to Launceston and joined The Cornwall Chronicle.
Innes became an inaugural member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly in 1856, winning the seat of Morven. He resigned in 1862 to transfer to the Legislative Council seat of South Esk.
Innes was colonial treasurer from 1857 to 1862 and was closely associated with Francis Villeneuve Smith and William Henty.
In 1838, Innes married Sarah Elizabeth Grey, the daughter of a free settler from Ireland. He died in Launceston on 11 May 1882, aged 65, survived by seven sons and five daughters.
Serle, Percival (1949). "Innes, Frederick". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Sydney: Angus & Robertson. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
The Mercury, Hobart, 13 May 1882;
J. Fenton, A History of Tasmania;
J. H. Heaton, Australian Dictionary of Dates.