Herbert Angas Parsons
Encyclopedia
Sir Herbert Angas Parsons KBE KC (1872-1945), was a Cornish Australian
lawyer, politician and judge.
Parsons was born in North Adelaide
on 23 May 1872, the only son of Cornish born minister and politician, John Langdon Parsons
(1837-1903) and his wife Rose. He was educated at Prince Alfred College
and Roseworthy Agricultural College
before spending three years following "pastoral and financial pursuits". He then studied law at the University of Adelaide
, graduating in March 1897, aged 24. He was admitted to the Bar later in 1897.
On 18 April 1900, Parsons married Mary Elsie Bonython, eldest child of Sir John Langdon Bonython
and his wife Mary Louisa Fredericka nee Balthasar. They had two sons.
In 1912 he stood for parliament and was elected member of the South Australian House of Assembly
for Torrens, 1912-15, and subsequently member for Murray, 1918-21. He was briefly attorney-general and minister of education in 1915. Parsons was appointed K.C.
in 1916, a judge of the Supreme Court in 1921, senior puisne judge in 1927, and acting chief justice in 1935. On occasions Parsons acted as deputy governor and, after his father's death, in 1904 he became consul for Japan.
Like his father-in-law, he became president of the Cornish Association of South Australia. He was also warden of the University of Adelaide's senate, and vice-chancellor from 1942-1944.
He was knighted
in 1936, and appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1945. He retired in 1945 and, having "spent many hours at the Adelaide Club
, preferring its convivial atmosphere to his wife's Methodism", he died of cirrhosis of the liver on 2 November 1945. Survived by Lady Parsons and their two sons, he was buried with his parents in North Road cemetery.
Cornish Australian
Cornish Australians are citizens of Australia whose ancestry originates in Cornwall, United Kingdom, one of the six Celtic Nations. They form part of the worldwide Cornish diaspora which also includes large numbers of people in the US, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Mexico and many Latin...
lawyer, politician and judge.
Parsons was born in North Adelaide
North Adelaide
North Adelaide is a predominantly residential precinct of the City of Adelaide in South Australia, situated north of the River Torrens and within the Adelaide Park Lands.-History:...
on 23 May 1872, the only son of Cornish born minister and politician, John Langdon Parsons
John Langdon Parsons
John Langdon Parsons was a Cornish Australian politician. 5th Government Resident of the Northern Territory, 1884-1890.-Biography:...
(1837-1903) and his wife Rose. He was educated at Prince Alfred College
Prince Alfred College
Prince Alfred College is an independent, day and boarding school for boys, located on Dequetteville Terrace, Kent Town, near the centre of Adelaide, South Australia...
and Roseworthy Agricultural College
Roseworthy College
Roseworthy Agricultural College was an agricultural college in Australia. It is north of Adelaide and west of Roseworthy town. It was the first agricultural college in Australia, established in 1883. It is now part of the University of Adelaide....
before spending three years following "pastoral and financial pursuits". He then studied law at the University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
, graduating in March 1897, aged 24. He was admitted to the Bar later in 1897.
On 18 April 1900, Parsons married Mary Elsie Bonython, eldest child of Sir John Langdon Bonython
John Langdon Bonython
-Early life:Bonython was born in London in 1848, the second son of George Langdon Bonython and Annie MacBain. The family migrated to South Australia in July 1854. There, Bonython was educated at the Brougham School in North Adelaide...
and his wife Mary Louisa Fredericka nee Balthasar. They had two sons.
In 1912 he stood for parliament and was elected member of the South Australian House of Assembly
South Australian House of Assembly
The House of Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of South Australia. The other is the Legislative Council. It sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Adelaide.- Overview :...
for Torrens, 1912-15, and subsequently member for Murray, 1918-21. He was briefly attorney-general and minister of education in 1915. Parsons was appointed K.C.
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
in 1916, a judge of the Supreme Court in 1921, senior puisne judge in 1927, and acting chief justice in 1935. On occasions Parsons acted as deputy governor and, after his father's death, in 1904 he became consul for Japan.
Like his father-in-law, he became president of the Cornish Association of South Australia. He was also warden of the University of Adelaide's senate, and vice-chancellor from 1942-1944.
He was knighted
Knight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
in 1936, and appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1945. He retired in 1945 and, having "spent many hours at the Adelaide Club
Adelaide Club
The Adelaide Club is an exclusive gentlemen's club in the South Australian capital city of Adelaide. Founded in 1863, the club comprises members of the Adelaide establishment....
, preferring its convivial atmosphere to his wife's Methodism", he died of cirrhosis of the liver on 2 November 1945. Survived by Lady Parsons and their two sons, he was buried with his parents in North Road cemetery.