Former
Speakers

Sir Frank Madden
1847-1921
Speaker: 1904-1917
Legislative Assembly: 1894-1917

Madden succeeded a series of Speakers who had served only a few years in the position, but himself served for thirteen years. He was born in Cork, Ireland, but came to Melbourne with his parents at the age of ten. After finishing his education he worked briefly as a jackeroo, and was then articled to his father, a solicitor, and admitted as an attorney of the Supreme Court in 1869. In 1874 he married Annie Eliza Francis with whom he had seven children.

Before entering parliament Madden had a long legal career; he founded the firm Madden and Butler and was president of the Law Institute in 1886-87. He entered the Legislative Assembly as the Member for Eastern Suburbs in 1894 and held the seat until 1904, when he contested and won Boroondara. He retained that seat until 1917 when he was defeated. He became Speaker in 1904 and held the position until his defeat in the 1917 election.

Madden was knighted in 1911, and died in 1921 in Melbourne.

His two brothers Sir John Madden and Walter Madden were also Members of the Legislative Assembly.