Duffy, Sir Charles Gavan, 1816–1903, Irish-Australian statesman. He founded (1842) the Nation, a patriotic Irish literary journal. Duffy agitated for the repeal of the union of Ireland and England, first working with Daniel O'Connell and then with the more radical Young Ireland movement. In 1848 he was arrested for advocating rebellion but later was acquitted. Entering Parliament in 1852, he helped to found the Independent Irish party. Disconsolate over the failure of Catholics and Protestants to unite for land reform, he went (1855) to Australia. He entered (1856) the assembly of the Victoria colony, and as minister of land and works (1857–59, 1862–65) he formulated a land act to aid immigrant farmers and check the dominance of squatters. He served (1871–72) as prime minister of Victoria. Duffy was knighted in 1873.
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