Alfred Deakin - Legacy

Legacy

Deakin was almost universally liked, admired and respected by his contemporaries, who called him "Affable Alfred." He made his only real enemies at the time of the Fusion, when not only Labor but also some liberals such as Sir William Lyne reviled him as a traitor.

He had a long and happy marriage and was survived by his wife and their three daughters:

• Ivy (1883–1970) married Herbert Brookes.
  • Alfred Deakin Brookes (1920-2005) - the first head of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service
• Stella (1886–1976) married Sir David Rivett.
• Vera (1891–1978) married (later Sir) Thomas White.

His descendants are still active in Melbourne political and business circles and he is regarded as a founding father by the modern Liberal Party. The Division of Deakin, Alfred Deakin High School, Deakin University, Deakin Avenue in the rural city of Mildura, Deakin Hall at Monash University, Deakin House at Melbourne Grammar School and the Canberra suburb of Deakin are named after him.

In 1969, Australia Post honoured him on a postage stamp bearing his portrait.