Sir Charles Lilley (27 August 1827 – 20 August 1897) was a Premier and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland. He had a significant influence on the form and spirit of state education in colonial Queensland which lasted well into the 20th century.
Early life
Lilley was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, the son of Thomas Lilley and his wife Jane, née Shipley.H. J. Gibbney, 'Lilley, Sir Charles (1827–1897)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 5, MUP, 1974, pp 86–88. Retrieved 2009-09-13 Lilley was raised by his maternal grandfather and was educated at St Nicholas Parish School. Intending to study law, Lilley became articled to Newcastle solicitor, William Lockey Harle. Lilley was sent to the London office and studied at University College, London for two years. He gave this up, enlisted in the army and, while stationed at Preston, Lancashire, lectured on temperance and industry. This brought him into disfavour with his superior officers. Lilley spent 28 days in cells on a charge of being absence without leave. Friends purchased his honourable discharge.
Politics Lilley was prominent in the movement for separation from New South Wales. After Queensland separated, Lilley was elected by a majority of only three votes as the Member for Hamlet of Fortitude Valley to that state's first Legislative Assembly. At the time, Lilley had formed the Queensland Liberal Association in an attempt to introduce political parties to the Legislative Assembly. Lilley held the seat of Fortitude Valley to February 1874, and was then returned for the seat of North Brisbane.
Lilley's strong interest in education was a significant factor in the establishment of Brisbane Grammar School where the Lilley Gold Medal and the Lilley Silver Medal are named in his honour. The Lilley Centre opened in 2010 is also named after him. In 1891 he was chairman of a commission investigating the establishment of a university in Brisbane. In 1893, Lilley resigned his position as Chief Justice after Sir Thomas McIlwraith questioned publicly some of Lilley's financial transactions, and stood unsuccessfully against McIlwraith in the electorate of Brisbane North.
Later life
In January 1881 he was elected president of Brisbane's Johnsonian Club. He was knighted in May 1881 and after first declining the honour, he reconsidered and accepted the honour later that year.
Lilley had a severe illness in 1896 and died in 1897.
Legacy The Federal electorate of Lilley is named after him.
There is a statue of Sir Charles Lilley at the Speakers' Corner in King George Square in Brisbane.
Family Lilley married Sarah Jane Jeays in 1858 and was survived by a large family including:
Edwyn Mitford (1859–1911) Charles Bedell (1860–1918) Annie Mary (1862 – ?) Walter Preston (1863–1916) Harold Bedell (1864–1901) Arthur Shipley (1866–1948)
See also Judiciary of Australia List of Judges of the Supreme Court of Queensland Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, 1860–1863; 1863–1867; 1867–1868; 1868–1870; 1870–1871; 1871–1873; 1873–1878
References
Lilley, Sir Charles — Brisbane City Council Grave Location Search