Hall, Edward Smith (1786-1860)

Abstract

Edward Smith Hall arrived in Sydney as a free settler in 1811. He attempted various careers including farming, merchant, bank cashier and coroner. He was a prominent member of society, leading calls for the introduction of trial by Jury, representative government and a House of Assembly. A deeply religious man from an Evangelical background, he was a founder of the NSW Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge and Benevolence, which later became the Benevolent Society of New South Wales, and involved himself in humanitarian and charity work. He had an unflinching belief in the application of the rights of Englishmen to all deserving individuals, whatever their status. These beliefs and principles were behind his founding of the colony's third newspaper, the 'Monitor', in 1826. In its first issue, he outlined his intention of focusing on the cause of "the injured and oppressed, high or low, bond or free". To achieve this, Hall intended to keep a close eye on the activities of those in authority.