William Barlow

William Barlow was born on 19 February 1834 in Dublin, Ireland, second son of barrister Peter Barlow.[1]  In 1851 he entered Trinity College, Dublin, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1855 and a Doctor of Law in 1884.[2]  In 1858 he was called to the Irish Bar.[3]

William and his wife, Emma Sarah (neé Ardill) arrived in South Australia on 25 June 1870 on the Carnaquheen.[4]  He was immediately admitted to the South Australian Bar, practising alone until 1873 when he formed a partnership with Richard Chaffey Baker, which would last until his retirement in 1909.[5]

On 18 December 1874 Barlow was appointed part-time Registrar of the University of Adelaide, a role which included service as a librarian and clerk of the Senate.[6]  As Registrar, he was involved in the University's push for the controversial right to confer the degree of Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Science and to admit women to degrees.[7]  In 1881, women were able to enrol in degrees.[8].

In 1882 Barlow relinquished the role of Registrar to serve for the first time on the University Council in 1883 [9], an unbroken membership which he maintained for thirty-three years.[10]   He also became Dean of the Faculty of Law [11] and later took up the role of Chair of the Finance Committee from 1897 to 1904.[12]  He also served as Chairman of the Board of Musical Studies from 1901 to 1904 and again in 1906 [13] and held the position of Vice Chancellor of the University for nineteen years from 1896 until his death in 1915.[14]

In 1914 William was appointed Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.[15]

William Barlow died in his home in North Adelaide on 19 April 1915.[16]

Footnotes:

1. Edgeloe, VA  2006 (online), 'Barlow, William (1834–1915)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Published first in hardcopy 1979, viewed 1 November 2022, <https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/barlow-william-5135>.

2. Edgeloe, VA  2006 (online), 'Barlow, William (1834–1915)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Published first in hardcopy 1979, viewed 1 November 2022, <https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/barlow-william-5135>.

3. Edgeloe, VA 1993, Servants of distinction: leadership in a young university, 1874-1925, The University of Adelaide Foundation, Adelaide. p. 29. 

4. Adelaide Observer 1870, 'Shipping intelligence', Adelaide Observer , 2 July, p. 2., viewed 1 November 2022,
<http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158943544>. 

5. The Advertiser 1915, 'Death of Dr. Barlow: a distinguished career', The Advertiser, 20 April, p. 7., viewed 1 November 2022,
<http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5459254>. 

6. Duncan, WGK and Leonard, RA 1973, The University of Adelaide, 1874-1974, Rigby, Adelaide, p. 5.

7. Duncan, WGK and Leonard, RA 1973, The University of Adelaide, 1874-1974, Rigby, Adelaide, pp. 13-14.

8. Duncan, WGK and Leonard, RA 1973, The University of Adelaide, 1874-1974, Rigby, Adelaide, p. 14.

9. The Adelaide University Calendar 1883, W. K. Thomas & Co., Adelaide, p. 31.

10. Edgeloe, VA 1993, Servants of distinction: Leadership in a young University, 1875 - 1925, The University of Adelaide Foundation, Adelaide, p. 29.

11. Edgeloe, VA 1993, Servants of distinction: Leadership in a young University, 1875 - 1925, The University of Adelaide Foundation, Adelaide, p. 29.

12. Former officers & honorary degree holders of the University (n.d.), 'Directors & Chairs', The University of Adelaide. University Archives, viewed 21 December 2022, <https://www.adelaide.edu.au/records/university-archives/online-resources/former-officers-honorary-degree-holders#directors-chairs>.

13. Edgeloe, VA 1993, Servants of distinction: Leadership in a young University, 1875 - 1925, The University of Adelaide Foundation, Adelaide, p. 29.

14. Former officers & honorary degree holders of the University (n.d.), 'Vice-Chancellors', The University of Adelaide. University Archives, viewed 21 December 2022, <https://www.adelaide.edu.au/records/university-archives/online-resources/former-officers-honorary-degree-holders#vice-chancellors>.

15. The Mail 1914, 'Reception at Government House: Investiture of Dr. Barlow', The Mail, 4 September, p. 4., viewed 1 November 2022,
<http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59743642>.

16.  The Register 1915, 'Death of Dr. Barlow, C.M.G.:Vice-Chancellor of the University', The Register, 20 April, p. 4., viewed 31 October 2022, <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60748468>

Image:

'University of Adelaide Council, 1906'. [Mounted sepia photograph]. William Barlow, seated front row, third from left. University of Adelaide. University Archives, Series 1151, Item 128.