SLY, RICHARD MEARES (1849-1929), judge, was born on 17 December 1849 in Sydney, third son of Joseph Sly, English-born cabinetmaker, and his first wife Jane, née Meares. Joseph Sly, whose furniture has become eagerly sought after in the late twentieth century, by 1862 had set up as a pawnbroker in Bridge Street. Richard was educated at Sydney Grammar School (1864-67), twice winning the Knox prize, and at the University of Sydney (B.A., 1871; M.A., 1876; LL.D., 1877). Graduating with first-class honours in classics and mathematics, in 1872 he won the Gilchrist travelling scholarship and attended University College, London (LL.B., 1875). On 7 June that year he was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple.

Sly was admitted to the colonial Bar on 21 June 1876 and swiftly developed a busy practice. Specializing in common law, he was an exceptionally good pleader. By 1908 there were ...

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Source:

Australian Dictionary of Biography