Francis William Sutton Cumbrae-Stewart was a respected Professor of Law at the University of Queensland and founding member of the Queensland Historical Society.
Early years
Cumbrae, as he was usually known, was born on 27 January 1865 in Canterbury, New Zealand. His father Francis was a grazier there but was originally from Queensland.
The family returned to Australia where Cumbrae attended Melbourne and Geelong grammar schools. He read modern history at Christ Church, Oxford in 1887 and then returned to Melbourne to work as a lawyer.
Career
Cumbrae practiced law in Melbourne and in Brisbane. In 1910 the new University of Queensland appointed him registrar and librarian. He also conducted the state public examinations and was an examiner in French. (He was fluent in French and acted as an interpreter during the First World War.)
The university later appointed him the Garrick professor of law and he established law there as a major discipline. A year later he was made King's Counsel in 1927.
Personal life
Cumbrae married Zina Beatrice Selwyn Hammon in Brighton Victoria in 1906 and they had one son. Of Scots descent, he was proud to become chief of part of the Stewart Clan. He was also an active member of the Anglican Church.
Recognition
He had a military bearing, recognised by his waxed moustache and formal manner. An avid reader and writer, he was also a founding member of the Queensland Historical Society. He took an interest in collecting for the Society and was their early journal editor.
Death
After retirement he and Zina moved to Melbourne to be closer to their son. Cumbrae died in South Yarra on 24 March 1938.
Bibliography
Adapted from material supplied by historian Dr Jan Penney, GMCT Trust member 2010-2020.
Bryan H (1981) Cumbrae-Stewart, Francis William Sutton (1865-1938), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian National University [website]
Thomis M I (1985) A place of light & learning: the University of Queensland’s first seventy-five years, University of Queensland Press
