Sir Alexander James Peacock KCMG (11 June 1861 – 7 October 1933[1]) was an Australian politician who served as the 20th Premier of Victoria.

He was the eldest of five children of James Henry Peacock, draper and later tailor from Suffolk, England, and his wife Mary Jane Murphy from Cork, Ireland.

His interviewer commented that 'This short, sharp experience made a vivid impression upon him, and doubtless formed the flame of rebellion against sweaters and sweating'.

A biographer has described him as 'tall, imposing, jovial and moustached', a man who 'did all the right things as representative of the district, had a suave word for everybody, patted children on the head and was extremely popular'.

In 1889 Peacock was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly for the seat of Clunes and Allendale, near Ballarat, which he held for 43 years.

Peacock stayed in opposition during Irvine's ministry, but in 1907 he returned to office as Chief Secretary and Minister for Labour in the government of Thomas Bent.

By 1916, however, the war was placing increasing strain on the Victorian economy, as labour shortages hit its important rural industries.

This caused increased opposition to the Liberals in rural areas, led by the Victorian Farmers Union (which later became the Country Party).

Millie, Lady Peacock was active in community organisations like the Red Cross, and carried much of her husband's local electoral work, earning the title 'the deputy member for Allandale'.

He was always an active office holder in the association, expanding its membership and branches in the 1880s, and leading it into an increasingly public role in the 1890s, especially in area of Federation.

Peacock learnt his brand of 'advanced Liberalism' in ANA lectures and debates: a commitment to full democracy, including woman suffrage, and to active state intervention in the interests of public welfare.