Robert Harper (Australian politician)

Robert Harper (1 February 1842 – 9 January 1919) was an Australian businessman and politician. He was the founder of Robert Harper and Co., which became one of Melbourne's largest dry goods firms, and served terms in the Parliament of Victoria and as one of the inaugural member of the Australian House of Representatives.

Harper was born in Scotland and arrived in Australia at a young age. In 1865 he went into business as a spice merchant, establishing Robert Harper and Co. which subsequently expanded into milling and manufacturing operations with branches in most Australian colonies and New Zealand. He developed diverse business interests and was a director of various public companies. Harper served several terms in the Victorian Legislative Assembly between 1879 and 1897, although he never held ministerial office. He was elected to the first federal parliament in 1901, holding the Victorian seat of Mernda until his retirement in 1913. He was associated with Alfred Deakin's Liberal Protectionist Party, although he was known as one of its more social conservative members.