Sir Douglas Ian Menzies
KBE (7 September 190729 November 1974) was an Australian judge, serving as a Justice of the
High Court of Australia
The High Court of Australia is Australia's apex court. It exercises Original jurisdiction, original and appellate jurisdiction on matters specified within Constitution of Australia, Australia's Constitution.
The High Court was established fol ...
. He was also Chancellor of
Monash University
Monash University () is a public research university based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Named for prominent World War I general Sir John Monash, it was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. The university has a ...
from 1968 until his death in 1974.
Early life
Menzies was born in
Ballarat
Ballarat ( ) is a city in the Central Highlands (Victoria), Central Highlands of Victoria (Australia), Victoria, Australia. At the 2021 Census, Ballarat had a population of 116,201, making it the third largest city in Victoria. Estimated resid ...
,
Victoria
Victoria most commonly refers to:
* Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia
* Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada
* Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory
* Victoria, Seychelle ...
, to Annie Wilson (née Copeland) and the Reverend Francis Menzies. He was a nephew of
Hugh
Hugh may refer to:
*Hugh (given name)
Noblemen and clergy French
* Hugh the Great (died 956), Duke of the Franks
* Hugh Magnus of France (1007–1025), co-King of France under his father, Robert II
* Hugh, Duke of Alsace (died 895), modern-day ...
and
James Menzies and a first cousin of Sir
Robert Menzies
The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of ''Hrōþ, Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory ...
.
Menzies was educated at
Hobart High School
Hobart High School is a coeducational secondary school with academy status, situated in the village of Loddon, near Norwich in Norfolk, England. It typically has around 850 pupils.
The school previously had specialist science college status ...
and
Devonport High School
Devonport High School is a government co-educational comprehensive junior secondary school located in , Tasmania, Australia. The school caters for approximately 500 students from Years 7 to 12. The school is administered by the Tasmanian De ...
in
Tasmania
)
, nickname =
, image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdi ...
, before returning to Victoria to study at the
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public research university located in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1853, it is Australia's second oldest university and the oldest in Victoria. Its main campus is located in Parkville, an inner suburb nor ...
. He graduated with a Master of Laws, having been awarded the Jessie Leggatt and E. J. B. Nunn Scholarships, and having won the
Supreme Court of Victoria
The Supreme Court of Victoria is the highest court in the Australian state of Victoria. Founded in 1852, it is a superior court of common law and equity, with unlimited and inherent jurisdiction within the state.
The Supreme Court comprises ...
's Prize in Law.
Legal career
In 1930, Menzies was admitted to the
Victorian Bar
The Victorian Bar is the bar association of the Australian State of Victoria. The current President of the Bar is Roisin Annesley KC. Its members are barristers registered to practice in Victoria. On 30 June 2020, there were 2,179 counsels ...
, where he practised as a
barrister
A barrister is a type of lawyer in common law jurisdictions. Barristers mostly specialise in courtroom advocacy and litigation. Their tasks include taking cases in superior courts and tribunals, drafting legal pleadings, researching law and ...
. From 1941 to 1945, he was secretary to the
Defence Committee and Chiefs of Staff, and from 1941 to 1950 he was a lecturer at the University of Melbourne. From 1956 to 1958, Menzies was the president of the
Law Council of Australia
The Law Council of Australia, founded in 1933, is an association of law societies and bar associations from the states and territories of Australia, and the peak body representing the legal profession in Australia. The Law Council represents mo ...
, and in 1958, served as president of the Victorian Bar Council.
High Court
Menzies was appointed to the bench of the
High Court on 12 June 1958, by the government of
Robert Menzies
The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of ''Hrōþ, Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory ...
, his cousin. Despite this close family connection, the appointment caused no political commentary. Later that year was made a
Knight of the Order of the British Empire. In 1963, he was elevated to the
Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) is the highest court of appeal for the Crown Dependencies, the British Overseas Territories, some Commonwealth countries and a few institutions in the United Kingdom. Established on 14 Augus ...
, and in 1968 was made the Chancellor of
Monash University
Monash University () is a public research university based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Named for prominent World War I general Sir John Monash, it was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. The university has a ...
. He served on the bench of the High Court until his death on 29 November 1974.
Menzies collapsed suddenly at the
New South Wales Bar
The New South Wales Bar Association is a professional body of lawyers responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The body administers the bar examination in accordance with the Legal Prof ...
's annual Bench and Bar Dinner and was taken to nearby
Sydney Hospital
Sydney Hospital is a major hospital in Australia, located on Macquarie Street in the Sydney central business district. It is the oldest hospital in Australia, dating back to 1788, and has been at its current location since 1811. It first rece ...
. According to a story often told by retired High Court Justice
Michael Kirby, Menzies died three places ahead of Kirby, in the servery line in the Bar's common room. He was cremated.
Personal life
Menzies married Helen Jean Borland in 1936. She predeceased him in 1966. He was survived by a son and three daughters, one of whom is biochemist and scientist
Catherine Anne Money.
References
#
#
Australian Dictionary of Biography Retrieved 29 May 2020
{{DEFAULTSORT:Menzies, Douglas
1907 births
1974 deaths
Justices of the High Court of Australia
Australian Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Melbourne Law School alumni
Members of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
Australian members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom
University of Melbourne alumni
People from Ballarat
Australian people of Scottish descent
Australian people of Cornish descent