Background
Callan was born in Dublin, Ireland to John Bartholomew Callan and his wife Isabella (née Duthie) and educated at Jesuit"s College, Dublin.
Callan was born in Dublin, Ireland to John Bartholomew Callan and his wife Isabella (née Duthie) and educated at Jesuit"s College, Dublin.
Following the resignation of Robert Lyons, he entered state politics in 1889, winning a by-election for the seat of Fitzroy. Callan held the seat until the 1902 state election which he did not contest. Callan was then appointed to the Queensland Legislative Council in July 1902, remaining a member till his death ten years later.