McTiernan, Sir Edward Aloysius, 1892 – 1990

Sir Edward Aloysius McTiernan (1892-1990), barrister and parliamentarian, was born at Glen Innes, NSW, son of Patrick and Isabella McTiernan. He was educated at Marist Brothers College, Darlinghurst and the University of Sydney where he graduated Bachelor of Arts (1912) and Bachelor of Laws (1915). McTiernan was admitted to the NSW Bar in 1916.

McTiernan was elected a Labor Party member of the NSW Legislative Assembly for the seat of Western Suburbs (1920-1927). He was appointed Minister of Justice (1920) and Attorney General (1920-1922, 1925-1927). McTiernan retired from state politics in 1927 and returned to his practice at the Bar. He lectured in law at the University of Sydney from 1928 to 1929.

In 1929 McTiernan was elected a member of the House of Representatives for the seat of Parkes but resigned in 1930. He was appointed a judge of the High Court of Australia in 1930 and remained on the bench until his retirement in 1976. McTiernan was knighted in 1951. [ref:Biographical register of the NSW parliament 1901-1970/Radi et al]