Robert Wardell

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Robert Wardell (1793[1] – 7 September 1834) was an English-born Australian barrister and newspaper editor.

[edit] Early life

Wardell was born in England and educated at Trinity College, Cambridge (matriculated 1810, LL.B. in 1817 and LL.D. in 1823[2]). He was editor and proprietor of the Statesman, a London evening paper, when in about the year 1820 he met William Wentworth. In 1823, Wardell applied for the new position of attorney-general in New South Wales, but was unsuccessful.[1]

[edit] Australia

In 1824 Wardell sold his paper and formed a partnership with Wentworth. Printing materials were purchased with the intention of founding an Australian newspaper, and they sailed for Australia, arriving about September. Soon afterwards they started the Australian, the first number appearing on 14 October 1824. It was the first independent paper to be published in Australia, and Governor Thomas Brisbane who was approaching the end of his term was inclined to welcome it. After the arrival of Governor Ralph Darling in December 1825, friction between the governor and the paper developed. Early in 1827 the governor was devising means to control its criticism of his actions. He brought in a newspaper tax of fourpence a copy, but chief justice Francis Forbes refused to sanction the act. In September 1827 Wardell who had referred to the governor in the Australian as "an ignorant and obstinate man" was charged with libel. He conducted his own defence with great ability and the jury failed to agree. Wardell was again on trial for libel in December, and Wentworth who was defending him asserted that the jurors, who were members of the military, might lose their commissions if they did not return a verdict for Darling. The jury again disagreed.

Wardell was now editor and sole proprietor of the Australian and his practice as a barrister was increasing; early in 1831 the government was glad to brief him in an action for damages against it. Towards the end of 1831 Governor Darling was recalled, and after the arrival of Governor Richard Bourke, Wardell's writing became much more temperate in tone. In 1834, having made a moderate fortune, he was intending to go to England, but on 7 September 1834 when riding around his land at Petersham, New South Wales he came across three runaway convicts and tried to persuade them to give themselves up. The leader of the men, John Jenkins[1], however, picked up a gun and fatally shot Wardell. The men were arrested a few days later and two of them were subsequently hanged. Wardell was unmarried.[1]


[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d C. H. Currey (1966). Wardell, Robert (1793 - 1834). Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 2 pp 570–572. MUP. Retrieved on 2007-08-14.
  2. ^ Admissions to Trinity College, Cambridge, vol. IV, p. 68


Additional resources listed by the Dictionary of Australian Biography:

  • Aubrey Halloran, Journal and Proceedings Royal Australian Historical Society, vol. X, pp. 337-47; The Sydney Herald, 11 and 15 September 1834; G. B. Barton, Literature in New South Wales, pp. 20-4; R. Therry, Reminiscences of Thirty Years' Residence in New South Wales and Victoria, 2nd ed. pp. 349-52.

Additional resources listed by the Australian Dictionary of Biography:

  • Historical Records of Australia, series 1, vols 11-17; newspaper indices under Wardell (State Library of New South Wales); W. C. Wentworth, legal letterbook (State Library of New South Wales); family bible (1660) annotated by T. D. Mutch (State Library of New South Wales); Supreme Court records (State Records New South Wales); CO 201/147/540.