William Henry Bundey

Sir William Henry Bundey (30 January 1838 – 6 December 1909) was an Australian politician and judge, Attorney-General of South Australia from 27 September 1878 to 10 March 1881.

Bundey was born in Exbury, Hampshire, England, the second son of James Bundey and his wife Harriett née Lockyer. The family emigrated to South Australia in 1848 after losing money in England. William's father died about a few weeks after his arrival, and the boy, though only 10 years of age, went to work in a solicitor's office. In 1856 he was appointed clerk of the City of Onkaparinga local court, but gave this position up about six years later to become articled to a solicitor. Bundey was practically self-educated but he was a good law student, and he was admitted to the bar in 1865. He became a most effective advocate, especially in criminal cases; he declined to defend prisoners unless he believed in their innocence. In 1878 he was appointed a Queen's Counsel.

On 14 December 1871 Bundey was elected to the South Australian House of Assembly for Onkaparinga, and from July 1874 to March 1875 was minister for Justice and Education in the third Arthur Blyth ministry. He was responsible for the bill to establish the University of Adelaide. He did not seek re-election in 1875 because of his health, but entered parliament again in 1878 and was Attorney-General in the William Morgan ministry from September 1878 to March 1881. A trip through Europe and the east improved his health. Bundey returned to Adelaide at the end of April 1882. In 1884 he was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of South Australia, a position he held for 19 years. He was appointed president of the board of conciliation in 1894 but resigned some 15 months later.

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