Redmond Barry’s legacy

Volume 9 Number 6 June 10 - July 7 2013

This year is the 200th anniversary of the birth of the University of Melbourne’s controversial founder - Sir Redmond Barry – whose influence on the establishment of the city and state we know today was profound. By Katherine Smith.

There are few who could claim to have had such a fundamental impact on the development of Victoria’s cultural, educational and legal landscape as Sir Redmond Barry (1813 - 1880). 

To celebrate the 200th year since the birth of this colourful and controversial figure, the State Library of Victoria, Supreme Court of Victoria and the University of Melbourne has brought together a series of events to explore the character, impact and legacy of Sir Redmond Barry’s life and work in the City of Melbourne and the State of Victoria.

Sir Redmond Barry was born in 1813, Ireland. He migrated to Australia in 1839, settled in Melbourne where he was appointed a judge, and became prominent in every area of Melbourne life. 

Barry was the founder of the University of Melbourne and the Melbourne Public Library (now State Library of Victoria) and many social clubs and societies.

Peter Ryan, writing in The Australian Dictionary of Biography says Barry’s achievements at the University and the Library were great, “for the University was able to attract outstanding men as its first professors and well within Barry’s lifetime its degrees grew to command world-wide respect. In the same period the library (and its associated gallery) became recognised as one of the great collections of the world.”

A harsh judge and an autocratic authority figure, history nevertheless shows Barry to have been incredibly hard working and committed. His most famous trial was that of the bushranger Ned Kelly in 1880.

An exhibition, ‘Redmond Barry and the Melbourne Law School’ runs in the Law School Library, level 3, 185 Pelham Street, Carlton, until 22 June. Enquiries: 8344 6177. 

And an exhibition about Barry’s role in establishing the library, ‘Free, secular and democratic: building the public library 1853-1913 is on show in the Keith Murdoch Gallery, State Library of Victoria until 2 February next year. Inquiries: 8664 7099.

 

Admission is free to both exhibitions.