Background
He was born in Hobart to shipping agent William Carmichael and Emma Willson, both Scottish-born.
He was born in Hobart to shipping agent William Carmichael and Emma Willson, both Scottish-born.
He was educated at Hobart and then held a variety of occupations, including coaching in Brisbane and farming on the Lachlan River, where he became involved in the Farmers and Settlers Association.
In around 1900 he established a business in Sydney. In 1907 he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as the Labor member for Leichhardt. He was appointed an honorary minister in 1910, assuming the Public Instruction and Labour and Industry portfolios in 1911. from 1912 to 1913 he was also Treasurer, returning thereafter to become Minister for Public Instruction until 1915.
He enlisted in the army as a private for World War I, serving in the 36th Battalion.
During his return he spoke in favour of conscription, and after the war he formed the Soldiers and Citizens Party, standing as a candidate for the five-member seat of Balmain. He was defeated, and became a public accountants
He died at Darlinghurst in 1953.