WARDELL, ROBERT (1794-1834), journalist and advocate,

was born in England in 1794 or possibly towards the end of the previous year. He matriculated at Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1810 and graduated LL.B. in 1817 and LL.D. in 1823 (Admissions to Trinity College, Cambridge, vol. IV, p. 68). He was editor and proprietor of the Statesman, a London evening paper, when in about the year 1820 he met Wentworth (q.v.). In 1824 he sold his paper and forming an alliance with Wentworth, printing materials were purchased with the intention of founding an Australian newspaper, and the partners sailed for Australia. They arrived about September and soon afterwards started the Australian, the first number appearing on 14 October. It was the first independent paper to be published in Australia, and Governor Brisbane (q.v.) who was approaching the end of his term was disposed to welcome it. After the arrival of Governor Darling (q.v.) in December 1825 friction with the paper developed, and early in 1827 the governor was devising means to control its criticism of his actions. He brought in a newspaper tax of fourpence a copy, but Forbes (q.v.) the chief justice, refused to sanction the act. In September 1827 Wardell who had referred to the governor in the Australian as "an ignorant and obstinate man" was charged with libel. He conducted his own defence with much ability and the jury failed to agree. In December Wardell was again on trial for libel, and Wentworth who was defending him asserted that the jurors, who were members of the military, might lose their commissions if they did not return a verdict for Darling. The jury again disagreed. Wardell was now editor and sole proprietor of his paper and his practice as an advocate was increasing; early in 1831 the government was glad to brief him in an action for damages against it. Towards the end of the year Darling was recalled, and after the arrival of Governor Bourke (q.v.) Wardell's writing became much more temperate in tone. In 1834, having made a moderate fortune, he was intending to go to England, but on 7 September when riding around his land at Petersham, he came across three runaway convicts and tried to persuade them to give themselves up. One of them, however, picked up a gun and fatally shot Wardell. The men were arrested a few days later and two of them were subsequently hanged.

Wardell's early death was much deplored. He was an able journalist and an excellent advocate. He fought a great fight for liberty at an important period of development in Australia.