William Pitt Cobbett (26 July 1853 in

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– 17 October 1919 in Hobart,

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) was an Australian academic, jurist, and editor.Hutley F. C. (1981.) "Cobbett, William Pitt (1853–1919)" in ''Australian Dictionary of Biography'', vol. 8, Melbourne University Press. Cobbett was the founding Challis Chair of Law of the University of Sydney Faculty of Law.

Early life and education

Born on 26 July 1853 to Pitt Cobbett and Caroline (née Richards), William Pitt Cobbett was born on 26 July 1853 in Adelaide, South Australia. Pitt Cobbett was a wine merchant and, after returning to England, in 1864, was an ordained priest. The senior Pitt Cobbett, after filling various curacies, was vicar of the Church of the Holy Rood, Crofton,

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, between 1874 and 1901. Cobbett was educated at Alleyn's College of God's Gift (Dulwich College),

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, between 1869 and 1872, and played rugby union for the school. He matriculated in October 1873 and entered

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. At Oxford, Cobbett graduated with a B.A. in 1876, a B.C.L. and M.A. in 1880, and a D.C.L. in 1887. He also won the university amateur middleweight boxing championship.

Career

Following his graduation from Oxford, Cobbett was admitted as a student at

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on 4 May 1875. On 18 November 1878, he was called to the bar; but, instead of practising law and despite having chambers at 4 King's Bench Walk Temple, Cobbett tutored at Oxford and in London. On 3 February 1890, Cobbett was appointed the inaugural Challis Chair of Law of the University of Sydney Faculty of Law. From September, he was an ''ex officio'' member of the University of Sydney Senate. He also became the Chairman of the Professorial Board of the University of Sydney.

Sydney Law School

In 1891, Cobbett became the first University of Sydney Faculty of Law Dean of Law. Cobbett lectured extensively, in

jurisprudence Jurisprudence, or legal theory, is the theoretical study of the propriety of law. Scholars of jurisprudence seek to explain the nature of law in its most general form and they also seek to achieve a deeper understanding of legal reasoning a ...

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constitutional law Constitutional law is a body of law which defines the role, powers, and structure of different entities within a state, namely, the executive, the parliament or legislature, and the judiciary; as well as the basic rights of citizens and, in fe ...

, and

international law International law (also known as public international law and the law of nations) is the set of rules, norms, and standards generally recognized as binding between states. It establishes normative guidelines and a common conceptual framework for ...

. Following the University's cost-cutting after financial difficulties in 1893, Cobbett also lectured in property law.

Later career

After his retirement from the University of Sydney Faculty of Law, Cobbett relocated to Hobart, where he worked on a book, to be titled ''The Government of Australia'', dealing with the Constitution of Australia. Before it was ready for publication, however, Cobbett died of cancer at his home in Holebrook Place (now Davey Street) on 17 October 1919, and was buried in the Anglican section of

Cornelian Bay Cemetery Cornelian Bay Cemetery is a cemetery in Cornelian Bay, Tasmania, Australia. It is the oldest cemetery in Tasmania that remains in use. History The cemetery location, a section of the former Government Farm site, was selected in the late 1860s ...

Honours

Sydney Law School honours its first Challis Chair of Law and Dean through the eponymous Pitt Cobbett Scholarships.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cobbett, Pitt 1853 births 1919 deaths Alumni of University College, Oxford Australian Anglicans Australian people of English descent Australian jurists University of Sydney faculty Burials in Tasmania