Butler Cole Aspinall

File:Butler Cole Aspinall.png

Butler Cole Aspinall.

Butler Cole Aspinall (11 November 1830 – 4 April 1875) was a British-born journalist, barrister who migrated with his young wife to Melbourne, Australia, at first as an editor and writer for The Argus. He soon took up his lucrative legal practice as a defence advocate and later as a politician in the state of Victoria.

Aspinall was one of the chief counsel for the leaders of the Ballarat Riots, also known as Eureka Stockade, and later defended Henry James O'Farrell for the attempted assassination of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. He was briefly appointed as Attorney-General in 1861 and Solicitor-General in 1870.

Aspinall died in April 1875 in Liverpool, England.

Biography and career

The son of the Reverend James Aspinall, Butler Cole Aspinall was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England, in 1830. He studied law and was called to the Bar in 1853. He contributed to the Morning Chronicle and other London papers. In 1854, he came to Melbourne as a law reporter for The Argus, and also contributed to the Morning Herald, Age, and Melbourne Punch.

Eureka Stockade trial

In February 1855, Aspinall was one of the counsel for the leaders of the Eureka Rebellion.

Politics

In 1856, Aspinall was elected a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Talbot. He also represented Castlemaine (1859–60), Geelong East (1861–64), Portland (1866–67) and St Kilda (1868–1870). At the end of July 1861 he became Attorney-General in the Richard Heales ministry, but the cabinet resigned a few weeks later. He resigned as member for St Kilda on 1 January 1870, was appointed Solicitor-General in the John MacPherson ministry, on 19 January 1870, before resigning on 9 April 1870 with the rest of the ministry.

Court practice

The Dictionary of Australian Biography quotes one example of Aspinall's behaviour in court:

"Mr Aspinall," said his Honour severely, "are you trying to show your contempt for this Court?" "No, your Honour," said Aspinall with an air of great humility. "I was merely trying to conceal it."

Personal life

Aspinall died on 4 April 1875 in England. His wife died six days later.

A son, also called Butler Cole Aspinall (d. 15 November 1935), also became a barrister.

References

• J. H. Heaton, Australian Dictionary of Dates;
• J. L. Forde, The Story of the Bar of Victoria;
• The Bulletin, 15 January 1936.