Darley, Sir Frederick Matthew, 1830 – 1910

Frederick Matthew Darley (1830-1910), barrister, judge and parliamentarian, was born at Dublin, Ireland, son of Henry and Maria Darley. He was educated at Dungannon in County Tyrone and Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated Bachelor of Arts (1851) before being called to the Irish Bar in 1853 He was admitted to the English Bar before returning to practice in Ireland. In 1862 Darley migrated to Australia and was admitted to the NSW Bar where he was appointed Q.C. in 1878.

Darley was appointed to the NSW Legislative Council (1868-1886). From 1881 to 1883 Darley was Vice-President of the Executive Council and served as Lieutenant-Governor on seven occasions. He was appointed Chief Justice of the NSW Supreme Court in December 1886, knighted in 1887, created K.C.M.G. in 1897 and G.C.M.G. in 1901. Darley was appointed a Privy Councillor in 1905.