Mr Richard Watson Hardey was born in Perth, Western Australia, on February 9, 1844. He was educated in England and, upon his return in 1866, took over his father's property, Peninsula Farm, and also purchased an estate near York, Western Australia.
In 1876, Mr. Hardey married Jane Vounder Lowe in Perth. They had one child together. That same year, he was nominated to the Legislative Council by Governor Sir William Robinson. He contested a by-election for the seat of York in February 1880 but was defeated by Edward Hamersley. In 1890, when the Legislative Council became fully appointive, Mr. Hardey was nominated to the council for a second time by Sir William Robinson. Mr Hardey's second marriage was to Kathleen Emilie Beurteaux in 1892 in Perth. They had two children together.
At the 1894 elections, Mr Hardey polled the third-highest number of votes in East Province and was consequently elected to a two-year term.
Outside of parliament, Mr Hardey was elected to the Perth Road Board from 1871-1883 and again from 1885-1910. He also served as chairman of the Board from 1877-1881, 1882-1883, 1887-1896, and 1897-1910. He remained in this position until his death at Peninsula Farm on February 12, 1910.
