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Former Member Details

The Hon. Frederick Matthew DARLEY, Q.C (1830 - 1910)

Member Photo
Date of Birth: 18/09/1830
Place of Birth: Ireland
Date of Death: 04/01/1910
Place of Death: London, England
Parliamentary Service
Position Start End Period Notes
Vice-President of Executive Council and Representative of Government 14 Nov 1881 04 Jan 1883 1 year 1 month 22 days
Member of the NSW Legislative Council 13 Oct 1868 01 Dec 1886 18 years 1 month 19 days Life Appointment under the Constitution Act. Date of Writ of Summons 28 September 1868.
Political Party Activity
Community Activity
Active in a few charitable institutions. Travelled abroad as Commissioner to the Bordeaux Wine Exhibition several times in 1882.
Qualifications, occupations and interests
Lawyer (barrister). Chief Justice of New South Wales 29 November 1886 - 4 January 1910. Educated by his parents, then at Dungannon College, County Tyrone and Trinity College, Dublin, were he received a Bachelor of Arts in 1851. Was called to the Irish bar and English bar at King's Inns, London on 18 January 1853. Read in chambers until being admitted to the English bar. Returned to Ireland and practiced on the Munster circuit. After arriving in New South Wales in 1862 he was admitted to the New South Wales bar on 2 June 1862 and took silk in 1878. After the resignation of Sir Alfred Stephen, Darley took over the Lieutenant Governorship in 1891 and acted at Administrator of New South Wales. His permanent appointment as Governor was widely supported.
Military Service
Honours Received
Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 1897. Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in (GCMG) 1901 . Privy Councillorship in 1901, and and Honorary LLD of the University of Dublin in 1903.
Membership of other Parliaments & Offices Held
Local Government Activity
Personal
Son of Henry Darley, a legal officer and Maria Louisa West. Married Lucy Forest Browne, the sister of T.A. Browne ('Rolf Boldrewood') on 13 December 1860 in England and had issue, 2 sons and 6 daughters. Returned to Britain in 1909 and was elected resident fellow of the Royal College Institute.
Additional Information
References Australian Dictionary of Biography, 4 Personal papers in the Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales: 1. Papers (MLMSS497); 2. Frederick Matthew Darley - papers, 1864 - 1905 (MLMSS 2157); photographs in the PICMAN Database.

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