Corrigan, Dr James

James Corrigan was born in County Donegal, Ireland. His father was a teacher and later headmaster of a Wesleyan school in Ireland.  He gained his MA, LLD, - Master of Arts, Doctor of Laws from Trinity College, Dublin. His special interest was Mathematics, at which he excelled. He was also an excellent leader, administrator, and lay preacher in Wesleyan churches in Ireland and England. He married Lucy Chapman in 1856, and they had three daughters and one son. He worked in several leadership roles before he was approached to be the first Headmaster of the new Wesley College, Melbourne, by Rev Draper and Walter Powell were authorised to choose a suitable candidate to start the new school. The President of the Council James Waugh, who knew Corrigan when they were both younger men approved of their choice. 

Corrigan was involved in the Royal Commission into Education in Victoria in 1866, and eventually became the Chairman of the Board of Education, a position he held - as well as Headmaster- at the time of his death from Rheumatic fever in January 1871. He was 47 years old when he died, leaving a widow and four children, the youngest of whom was 6 years old. He is buried in Melbourne General Cemetery. His widow and their children returned to Ireland, and Mrs Corrigan died the following year.

*Due to his unexpected death on 7th January 1871 his dates in office are officially 1866-1870. He was succeeded by Martin H. Irving.