Edward Wise

Brief description

PER-68

Full description

Edward Wise was born on the Isle of Wight, England, on 13 August, 1818, and educated at Rugby School. He was called to the Bar at Middle Temple, London, on 22 November, 1844, and practised on the Western Curcuit and in London for some time (1) Joining his brother and brother-in-law, Edward Wise emigrated to New South Wales, arriving in Sydney on 26 February, 1855. He was admitted to the local Bar, and on 19 February 1857 was appointed to the Legislative Council (2). From 23 May to 7 September 1857 Wise was the Solicitor-General in the Ministry of Sir Henry Watson Parker (3,4). Under the Ministry of William Forster, Wise became Attorney-General from 27 October 1859 until 13 February 1860, appointed Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court two days later (5). As Puisne Judge, Edward Wise presided over several cases involving the legal position of church and state in New South Wales. Amongst his qualities Wise was noted for his diligence as a worker and for his interest in the welfare of the underprilidged, particularly "advocating the state's responsibility for the moral and social condition of the people" (6). His dilligent work however wore down his health, Wise suddenly dying whilst on respite during a visit to Melbourne on 28 September, 1865 (7). Endnotes:
(1) Searle and Ward, eds., Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 6: 1851-1890, R - Z, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1976, p 427-428.
(2) NSW Government Gazette, 20 February, 1857.
(3) NSW Government Gazette, 23 May, 1857.
(4) NSW Government Gazette, 7 September, 1857.
(5) Votes and Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly, 1861-1862, Volume I, p 1123.
(6) Searle and Ward, eds., Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 6: 1851-1890, R - Z, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 1976, p 428.
(7) Australian Encyclopaedia, Volume IX: "Trade Unionism" to "Zygophyllaceae", Angus and Robertson, Sydney, 1958, p 338.

Notes

Legislative Council: 19 February, 1857 - 20 February, 1860.

Solicitor General: 23 May, 1857 - 7 September, 1857.

Attorney General: 27 October, 1859 - 13 February, 1860.
Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales: 15 February, 1860 - 28 September, 1865.