23 Facts About Adrian Knox

Sir Adrian Knox was an Australian lawyer and judge who served as the second Chief Justice of Australia, in office from 1919 to 1930.

Adrian Knox studied law at Trinity College, Cambridge, and after returning to Australia established a successful law firm.

Adrian Knox was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1894, but retired in 1898 after just two terms in office.

Adrian Knox eventually became one of the best known barristers in New South Wales, taking silk in 1906 and appearing frequently in major constitutional cases.

Adrian Knox was born in Sydney on 29 November 1863, the son of Sir Edward Adrian Knox and the former Martha Rutledge.

Adrian Knox's mother was born in Ireland, and was the sister of the Victorian politician William Rutledge.

Adrian Knox's father was born in England, and was the founder of the Colonial Sugar Refining Company.

Adrian Knox attended private schools in Sydney and was then sent to England to complete his education.

Adrian Knox returned to Australia in 1886 and joined his brother George in practising law.

When George died in 1888, Adrian Knox took over the practice, and soon became one of the most successful lawyers at the Sydney bar.

Adrian Knox was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly at the 1894 election for the seat of Woollahra.

Adrian Knox was made a King's Counsel in 1906, and shortly after was offered a position on the bench of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, which he declined.

Also in 1906, Adrian Knox became Chairman of the Australian Jockey Club, indulging his passion for horse-racing.

Adrian Knox served on the NSW Bar Council from its foundation in 1902 until 1910, and again from 1916 to 1919.

Adrian Knox's appointment was received somewhat poorly by Sir Edmund Barton, who as the senior judge on the court and a former prime minister felt a certain entitlement to the position.

Adrian Knox sat on a number of judicial committees in this capacity, including one which investigated the British Government's authority to establish the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland.

In 1930, Adrian Knox was left half of the estate of his friend and mining magnate John Brown, which was reportedly worth more than a million pounds, and in March 1930 he retired from the High Court in order to manage this business.

Adrian Knox died in Woollahra on 27 April 1932 and is interred in Waverley Cemetery.

Adrian Knox was survived by his wife and three children.

Adrian Knox was a book collector and his private library was considered one of the best in Sydney.

In 1918, Adrian Knox was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, and in 1921 he was elevated to Knight Commander of that order.

Adrian Knox was appointed to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom in 1920, allowing him to use the style "The Right Honourable".

Adrian Knox was an inaugural inductee of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, which was established in 2001.