17 Facts About Gordon Samuels

Gordon Samuels was later appointed a Judge of the New South Wales Court of Appeal in 1974, serving till his mandatory retirement in 1993, aged 70.

On retirement from law, Gordon Samuels became Chairman of the Law Reform Commission of New South Wales, a position he held until he was appointed governor in 1996.

Gordon Samuels was born on 12 August 1923 in London, England, to a family of Jewish origin.

Gordon Samuels travelled to Australia and married Mary Michaelson, whom he had met in Edinburgh.

Gordon Samuels was educated at University College School and Balliol College, University of Oxford.

Gordon Samuels married Jacqueline Kott in 1957 and had two daughters named Deborah and Selina.

In 1971, Gordon Samuels was elected as the President of the New South Wales Bar Association, in which capacity he served until 1972.

In 1972, Gordon Samuels was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, being elevated to the Court of Appeal in 1974.

Gordon Samuels displayed a command of facts and law and the well-furnished mind that he brought to the resolution of every judicial problem.

On 8 June 1987, Gordon Samuels was made a Companion of the Order of Australia for "service to learning, to the community and to law".

In 1992 the "Gordon Samuels Building" was opened on the UNSW Kensington campus.

On turning 70 in 1993, the age of mandatory judicial retirement, Gordon Samuels retired from the bench and became Chairman of the Law Reform Commission of New South Wales, a position he held until he was appointed governor in 1996.

Nevertheless, despite this turbulent beginning in office, particularly in terms of a change in role, Gordon Samuels was able to continue many of the traditions of office and served with dignity and distinction until his retirement in March 2001.

Gordon Samuels carried out his duties as the Governor very effectively.

Gordon Samuels remained active after his governorship, inquiring into activities of the Australian Secret Intelligence Organisation and allegations that "loose talk" by diplomatic staff had led to the exposure of agent Warren Reed.

Gordon Samuels resumed his activities in the Law Reform Commission, serving as a Part-time commissioner from 2001 to 2007.

Gordon Samuels died of a cancer-related illness on 10 December 2007, survived by his wife, Jacqueline, their two daughters, Deborah and Selina Samuels and his grandchildren Rebecca and Samuel.