Essington Lewis

Essington Lewis, CH (13 January 1881 – 2 October 1961) was an Australian industrialist.

He was born in Burra, South Australia, on 13 January 1881, the son of pastoralist John Lewis, founder of Bagot, Shakes & Lewis. He was named after Port Essington, where his father owned a cattle property.He was educated at St. Peter's College, Adelaide and the South Australian School of Mines. In 1910, Lewis married Gladys Rosalind Cowan, OBE, the only daughter of James Cowan.

After joining Broken Hill Proprietary Company Ltd (BHP) (now BHP Billiton) in 1904, he rose through the company ranks to become Managing Director in 1926 and Chairman in 1950, a position he held until his death in 1961. For the whole of his period as M.D., he had a close working relationship and personal friendship with Chairman of Directors Harold Gordon Darling (1885 – 1950).

During his travels to Germany and Japan in the 1930s, Lewis realised the threat of these countries to Australia. Accordingly, he helped establish the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation and many munitions facilities meaning Australia was better prepared for industrialisation when the war started in 1939. During World War II he also served as Director-General of Munitions. Lewis supported the establishment of the motor industry in Australia in 1948, being rewarded by being able to purchase the first commercially produced Holden 48/215.

He was appointed a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour on 24 September 1943.

Essington Lewis died while riding his horse on his property "Landscape", Tallarook, Victoria, on 2 October 1961, aged 80.