8 January 1916    Sir Samuel Way

Sir Samuel Way, Chief Justice of South Australia, died on 8 January 1916.

Samuel Way arrived in South Australia on 6 May 1853, a month before his 17th birthday. He studied law and on passing the examination was admitted to the Bar. In 1875 he became the Member for Sturt in the House of Assembly and was made Attorney-General. The following year, at the young age of 40, he was appointed Chief Justice. He acted as Administrator, Deputy Governor and Lieutenant Governor from time to time when the Governor was away. 

In 1872 he was a member of the association which was formed to take advantage of the gifts made by Thomas Elder and Walter Watson Hughes to establish a university. He was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Adelaide in 1876 and Chancellor in 1883. He was made a Baronet in 1890, the fourth in Australia and first in South Australia to receive such an honour. A great philanthropist he, with his brother-in-law Dr Campbell, established the Children's Hospital.

At the age of 62 he married Katherine Gollan, widow of Dr Blue, in the social event of the year. On his death he left his library of law books to the University of Adelaide and the Art Gallery was given first choice of his collection of works of art. He lived in 'Montefiore' North Adelaide, now part of Aquinas College. A statue of Sir Samuel was unveiled at the University on 17 November 1924. His memory is also perpetuated in the Samuel Way Building ( the old Moores store) which now houses law courts.

H.T. Burgess, Cyclopedia of South Australia,  Volume I, 1907, p. 245.

Eric Gunton, Gracious Homes of Colonial Adelaide , Adelaide, 1983,

pp. 80-81.