Hargrave, John Fletcher, 1815 – 1885

John Fletcher Hargrave (1815-1885), judge and parliamentarian, was born at Greenwich, England, son of Joshua and Sarah Hargrave. He was educated at King's College, London, and Trinity College, University of Cambridge, where he graduated Bachelor of Arts (1837) and Master of Arts (1840). He was admitted to the English Bar in 1841. He retired from the Bar in 1851 and arrived at Sydney in 1857 where he was admitted to the Bar and appointed a foundation judge of the District Court.

Hargrave resigned from the bench in 1859 and was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly for the seats of East Camden (Mar.- Apr.1859) and Illawarra (June - Oct. 1859). He was appointed to the NSW Legislative Council (1859-1865) and was Solicitor General and Attorney General at various times between 1859 and 1865. In what was considered by some to be a controversial appointment Hargrave was appointed to the Supreme Court of NSW in 1865. He retired from the bench in 1881. [ref:ADB 4]