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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

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John Stephen (1771–1833)

Mr. Justice Stephen endeared himself to the people of New South Wales, by his unflinching consistent integrity, in trying times. When the public press was assailed, he ever stood up for its independence. His views of the Law were in its favour, and he did not shrink from expressing his views, in the worst of times; and when his office depended, in a measure, his silence. When the editors were under prosecution, and demanded a common jury, according to the common law, under the plea, that the Act of Parliament could not set aside the common law and natural justice by its not permitting the prosecutor (Darling) to appoint the jury. Judge Stephen was the only judge who maintained the inviolability of this axiom of common sense and common justice.

Original publication

Additional Resources

  • 'Funeral', Australian (Sydney), 27 December 1833, p 2

Citation details

'Stephen, John (1771–1833)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/stephen-john-1292/text1284, accessed 19 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1771
Scotland

Death

21 December, 1833 (aged ~ 62)
New South Wales, Australia

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

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