17 Facts About Francis Forbes

Sir Francis William Forbes was a Chief Justice of Newfoundland, and the first Chief Justice of New South Wales.

At the age of 19 Francis travelled to London, England to study law at Lincoln's Inn.

Francis Forbes was called to the Bar in 1812 and became a Crown Law Officer in Bermuda and married Amelia Sophia Grant in 1813, returning to England in 1815.

Rather than return to Newfoundland's maritime climate, Francis Forbes accepted a position as Chief Justice of New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land.

Under the new system, Francis Forbes was not only the sole judge, subject only to the appellate power of the Governor, but an ex officio member of the Executive Council and the Legislative Council, and all colonial legislation had to be certified by him as not being repugnant to the laws of England.

Francis Forbes arrived in Sydney in March 1824 and the Court commenced on 17 May 1824.

Francis Forbes had no difficulties with Brisbane, but it was not long before he came into conflict with the new governor, Sir Ralph Darling.

Francis Forbes pointed out how necessary it was to go carefully, as in the then conditions of the colony the people looked upon the Supreme Court as their protection against absolute power.

Francis Forbes' workload had been and continued to be heavy, his controversy with Darling was harassing, and his health suffered.

Francis Forbes championed the introduction of trial by jury in NSW.

Francis Forbes remained as chairman of the board of trustees when the school finally opened in 1835 in College Street near Hyde Park.

Francis Forbes spoke forcefully against the practice of internal transportation, whereby convicts who misbehaved were sent to secondary prisons such as Norfolk Island.

Early in 1837, Francis Forbes' received the news that he would be given a knighthood.

Francis Forbes even tried 'taking the waters' at a variety of spa resorts in France and Italy, but to no avail.

Francis Forbes felt like he was "sinking under the weight" of his office and his hand shook as he tried to write his resignation letter.

Francis Forbes retired as Chief Justice of New South Wales on 1 July 1837.

Francis Forbes died in a rented house, "Leitrim Lodge", in Newtown, New South Wales, on 8 November 1841.