Date of Birth: 02/07/1810
Place of Birth: Bath, England
Date of Death: 07/04/1883
Place of Death: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Parliamentary Service
| Member of the NSW Legislative Council |
22 May 1856 |
10 May 1861 |
4 years 11 months 19 days |
First (Quinquennial) Appointments under the Constitution Act. Date of Writ of Summons 13 May 1856. |
| Member of the NSW Legislative Council |
13 Oct 1851 |
29 Feb 1856 |
4 years 4 months 17 days |
A Non-Elective Member of the first Legislative Council 1843 – 1856 |
Qualifications, occupations and interests
Lawyer (barrister). Educated by his father and then at Shrewsbury School. Had an outstanding academic record in mathematics and classics at Magdalene College, University of Cambridge. Rebelled against his father's religion by forfeiting the degree rather than making the religious declaration required of graduates. Called to the Bar at Middle Temple, England, in 1837. Migrated to Sydney in the same year and was admitted to the New South Wales Bar on 5 February 1838. Quickly gained a large practice. In 1841, income was £2000. In 1844 clashed bitterly with Robert Lowe. In 1848, became a Commissioner inquiring into the consititution and practice of the courts. In 1858, became a Queen's Counsel and was known as 'father of the Bar'. Ill health caused him to retire some years before his death.
Membership of other Parliaments & Offices Held
Local Government Activity
Personal
Son of the Reverend Thomas Broadhurst and his wife Frances Whittaker. Married Harriett Lucy Greenhill, daughter of Stephen Greenhill, on 7 May 1853, and had issue 1 son and 1 daughter.
Additional Information
Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 3
