Sir James Martin made his name as a fierce and partisan contributor to the vitriolic political debates of the 1840s. A brilliant young lawyer, he was in Parliament in 1848, before the age of 30. He stayed there, in and out of government, until 1873, when he made an honourable exit to the highest judicial office in the colony. Knighthood and civil honours followed.
Self-made, rich, arrogant, and married to the wealthy daughter of a former convict, Martin attracted enemies. As a result, he could not always guarantee the passage of his legislation, and at times, he lost his parliamentary seat. Through all this, he conducted a huge Bar practice and was appointed Chief Justice.
Remembered as a man "springing from the people and educated amongst them," he showed "every quality which is necessary to a great and good Judge" in a career of rare accomplishment.
Table of Contents
Foreword - Honourable Gordon J. Samuels
Preface - Mr Rodney Cavalier
Acknowledgements
List of Illustrations
"Dramatis Personae"
Ministries After Responsible Government
CHAPTER 1: Governor Brisbane’s Legacy
CHAPTER 2: "The Supreme Court Would Soon Teach Them Better Manners"
CHAPTER 3: "We Lay the Foundation of a Nation"
CHAPTER 4: "The Conservative Element Was as Powerful as It Ever Was"
CHAPTER 5: "De Facto Attorney-General"
CHAPTER 6: "Office Has No Attractions For Me"
CHAPTER 7: "The First Protectionist Government in the Colony"
CHAPTER 8: "This Ministry Was One of the Strongest and Best"
CHAPTER 9: "The Present Unfortunate State of Public Business"
CHAPTER 10: "He Was Not Called Upon to Neglect His Private Practice"
CHAPTER 11: "The First Australian Chief Justice"
CHAPTER 12: "Your Ablest Man is Gone From You"
Abbreviations
Notes
Index