The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Butler, Hon. Edward
Butler, Hon. Edward, Q.C., M.L.C., was born in the county of Kilkenny in 1829, and educated at Kilkenny College. At an early age he was a contributor to the Dublin Nation, and in 1849 he joined Mr. (now Sir) Charles Gavan Duffy in reviving that paper, which had been suppressed during the troubles of 1848. In 1855 he emigrated to New South Wales, and became a contributor to the Empire, being called to the colonial bar, at which he practised with great success, in 1855. Six years later he was nominated to the Legislative Council, but retired from it, and entered the Lower House in 1869 as member for Argyle. He was Attorney-General in the Parkes Government from May 1872 to Nov. 1873, when he resigned in consequence of not receiving the vacant office of Chief Justice which he alleged had been promised to him by Sir Henry Parkes, who passed him over in favour of his junior at the bar, the late Sir James Martin. He was reappointed to the Legislative Council in Oct. 1877, and died suddenly whilst engaged in a case in the Supreme Court in Sydney on June 9th, 1879.