31 Facts About Redmond Barry

Redmond Barry is well known for presiding over the trial of the Eureka rebels, as well as having sentenced the bushranger and outlaw Ned Kelly to death.

Redmond Barry was the third son of Major-General Henry Green Redmond Barry, of Ballyclogh near Kilworth, County Cork, Ireland, and his wife Phoebe Drought, daughter of John Armstrong Drought and Letita Head.

Redmond Barry had five brothers and six sisters and was educated at a military school, Hall Place, near Bexley, Kent.

Redmond Barry arrived in New South Wales in April 1837 and was admitted to the New South Wales Bar.

In 1841, Redmond Barry served as the defence lawyer for Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner, two Indigenous rebels on trial for murder.

Redmond Barry questioned the legal basis of British authority over Aborigines who were not citizens and claimed that the evidence was dubious and circumstantial.

Redmond Barry was noted for his service to the community, and he convinced the state government to spend money on public works, particularly on education.

Redmond Barry was instrumental in the foundation of the Royal Melbourne Hospital, the University of Melbourne, and the State Library of Victoria.

Redmond Barry served as the first chancellor of the university until his death and was president of the trustees of the State Library.

Redmond Barry was the first President of the Ballarat School of Mines, which later became Ballarat University and is Federation University Australia.

Redmond Barry was the judge in the Eureka Stockade treason trials in the Supreme Court in 1855.

In 1857, Redmond Barry conducted the inquest into the murder of Inspector-General John Giles Price, who was beaten to death by a group of at least 15 convicts during an inspection of the prison quarries in Williamstown, Victoria.

Redmond Barry chaired the committee for the Victorian Intercolonial Exhibition in Melbourne, and represented Victoria at the London International Exhibition of 1862 and at the Philadelphia Exhibition of 1876.

Redmond Barry was made a knight bachelor in 1860, and was created a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1877.

In October 1878, at Beechworth court, Redmond Barry presided over a case in which Mrs Ellen Kelly and two men were accused of aiding and abetting the attempted murder of a Victoria Police constable named Alexander Fitzpatrick.

In 1880, Redmond Barry presided at the final trial of Ned Kelly, who was tried and convicted of murdering three other Victoria Police constables.

Redmond Barry laid the foundations of the Supreme Court Library and was the prime mover establishing the Melbourne Public Library.

Historian Geoffrey Blainey has said: "There can be fewer men with greater concern for and a greater and better vision for the young colonial society in which Redmond Barry made his life".

Redmond Barry never married, but had four children with Louisa Barrow, all of whom he acknowledged and supported.

Redmond Barry then discharged his own pistol harmlessly into the air.

The Argus reported that Redmond Barry had been suffering from diabetes for about ten years, but on his return from his trip to Europe and America it was apparent that the disease had affected his system.

Sir Redmond Barry was counselled by his medical adviser to at once rest from duty, but he was reluctant to do so, and continued to attend the court until he was compelled to take rest.

Redmond Barry was constantly attended by Dr Gunst, who could scarcely impress his patient with a sense of the very serious nature of his disease, which he regarded somewhat lightly.

Redmond Barry became restless, and it was deemed advisable to place him under the constant care of a nurse.

Redmond Barry was a book collector and left a substantial library that was auctioned after his death.

The State Library of Victoria has named a reading room after Sir Redmond Barry, who was the first chair of the Board of Trustees of the Melbourne Public Library.

The University of Melbourne, of which he was the first Chancellor, has a Redmond Barry building named for him.

The University of Melbourne established the Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor, a title awarded to multiple professors within the university who display outstanding research and leadership.

The Australian Library and Information Association's highest honour that can be bestowed on an individual not eligible for membership of the association is the Redmond Barry Award awarded in recognition of outstanding service to or promotion of a library and information service or libraries and information services, or to the theory or practice of library and information science, or an associated field.

Redmond Barry has appeared as a character in three dramatisations of the Ned Kelly story:.

Redmond Barry is a minor character in Philippe Mora's bushranging biopic Mad Dog Morgan, where he is played by Peter Collingwood.