{{Short description|Australian politician}} {{about||the Maryland politician|William B. Byrnes}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}} {{Use Australian English|date=November 2016}} '''William Byrnes''' (2 June 1809 – 25 October 1891) was an Australian politician.

He was born in Parramatta to James and Frances Byrnes; his father was a member of the New South Wales Corps. He was an apprentice saddler before pioneering steam ferries on the Parramatta River with his brother James. On 6 December 1834 he married Ann Oakes, daughter of MLC Francis Oakes and they had fourteen children.<ref name="William Byrnes ADB"/>

In the 1840s the brothers ran a flour mill, and they continued to run mills and stores thereafter.<ref name="William Byrnes ADB">{{cite AuDB |id2=byrnes-william-3334 |title=Byrnes, William (1809–1891) |first=G P |last=Walsh |year=1969 |access-date=20 April 2019}}</ref> Byrnes was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council from August 1858 to May 1861 and from September 1861 until his death at Parramatta in October 1891.<ref name="William Byrnes NSW Parl">{{Cite NSW Parliament |id=345 |name=Mr William Byrnes (1809-1891) |former=Yes |access-date=20 April 2019}}</ref>

His brother James was a member of the NSW Parliament at various times between 1850 and 1872.<ref name="James Byrnes NSW Parl">{{Cite NSW Parliament |id=312 |name=Mr James Byrnes (1806-1886) |former=Yes |access-date=20 April 2019}}</ref> His nephew, Charles, James' youngest son was also a member of the Legislative Assembly between 1874 and 1882.<ref name="Charles Byrnes NSW Parl">{{Cite NSW Parliament |id=685 |name=Mr Charles Byrnes (1835-1917) |former=Yes |access-date=20 April 2019}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Byrnes, William}} Category:1809 births Category:1891 deaths Category:Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council Category:19th-century Australian politicians

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