Vignette 96: Defining jurisprudence for legal education

Sir John William Salmond (1862–1924) KC is a towering figure in legal scholarship. A professor of law and a judge, he left a remarkable imprint on the field of jurisprudence, the philosophy of law.

Salmond’s tenure as Professor of Laws at the University (1896–1905) marked a crucial phase in his career, and the University recognised his contribution in 1964 by naming its law library after him. While in Adelaide, he authored Jurisprudence or the Theory of Law, which has had a transformative impact on legal education. Salmond’s keen insights into the nature of law, rights, and duties resonate throughout the pages. His work endures today, providing a theoretical framework that continues to shape legal discourse and remains a cornerstone of legal education. 

After serving as New Zealand’s solicitor general during the First World War, Salmond became a judge of the Supreme Court, where he emphasised deterrence in judicial punishment. His legal texts won many international accolades, including the James Barr Ames Prize in 1911. Salmond was knighted in 1918 while still solicitor general.

The University of Adelaide: 150 Years of Making History.  Leading for the future. p.130