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Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Sir Owen Dixon

Sir Owen Dixon, Justice of the High Court of Australia by unknown Arthur/

Sir Owen Dixon OM, GCMG, KC was an Australian judge and diplomat who served as the sixth Chief Justice of Australia.

It was due to Dixon’s schooling in the classics that his ‘passion for exactness in thought and expression was accompanied by a consciousness of fallibility.

A judge of the High Court for thirty-five years, Dixon was one of the leading jurists in the English-speaking world and is widely regarded as Australia’s greatest-ever jurist.

Dixon was a Justice of the High Court between 1929 and 1964, the last twelve years as Chief Justice.

1. The exquisite Sir Dixon Owen during his school life developed a love of the classics

Dixon attended the University of Melbourne where he did not distinguish himself as a scholar, perhaps because he was interested in learning.

He attended Hawthorn College and later the University of Melbourne, graduating with an arts degree in 1907.

During this time, he developed his lifelong love of the classics from his classical philology professor,

He was influenced by professors Harrison Moore and Thomas George Tucker, he obtained from Moore ‘a complete grasp of legal principles.

2. The astonishing Owen Dixon Chambers East Melbourne is the first building to be owned by BCL

Supreme Court by Tingey Injury law Firm

Owen Dixon Chambers East is the original home of the Victorian Bar and the first building to be owned by BCL.

The building was named after Sir Owen Dixon, one of Australia’s most renowned legal minds who served as Chief Justice of the High Court. 

It views overlooking the Supreme Court, Owen Dixon Chambers East provides one of the most sought-after legal locations in Melbourne.

Connected to Owen Dixon Chambers West and home to half the barristers within the BCL network, within the building there are also clerks’ offices.

3. Sir Dixon interestingly was admitted to the bar he was unable to read 

HCA bench 1952 by Unknown Arthur/

Admitted to the Bar on March 1910, Dixon took rooms in Selborne Chambers. He was unable to read with anyone because of his family’s poor financial circumstances.

In his early years, he was one of the barristers commissioned by Sir Leo Cussen to work on the consolidation of Victorian statutes.

Appointed K.C. in 1922, Dixon came to exercise absolute dominance over the Bar. He was its acknowledged leader, ‘its outstanding lawyer, and its greatest advocate.

He was immensely effective, particularly in the High Court of Australia where he frequently appeared in both constitutional and non-constitutional matters.

He set one judge against another, skillfully isolating a minority opposed to his point of view and persuading a majority to decide in his favor.

4. The astonishing Judge Dixon was made Knight commander 

Dixon was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George KCMG in 1941 and was elevated to a Knight Grand Cross of that order GCMG in 1954.

The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is a British order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, and later King George IV.

The Order of St Michael and St George was originally awarded to those holding commands or high positions in the Mediterranean territories acquired in the Napoleonic Wars.

The honor was subsequently extended to holders of similar offices or positions in other territories of the British Empire.

5. The remarkable Owen Dixon commonwealth law courts cater to all Federal Matters 

Owen Dixon Commonwealth Law Courts building is located at 305 William Street, Melbourne.

All federal matters in Melbourne, including family law matters, are heard here, these courts are easily located.

The Melbourne tram network is the largest of its kind in the world and has been servicing this beautiful city since 1884.

6. Sir Dixon interestingly succeeded Richard Garvin and become a minister

 In April 1942 Sir Owen was chosen to succeed Richard Gavin Casey as Australian minister in Washington.

Dixon accepted the position only after pressure was exerted by Prime Minister John Curtin who argued that he could thereby make a more significant contribution to winning the war.

As a minister, Dixon was required to carry out the normal duties of the head of a diplomatic mission.

His major task was to ensure that the United States of America did not lose sight of the war in the Pacific and that Australia’s interests were not neglected.

He also represented Australia on the Pacific War Council and, later, on the council of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.

7. The astonishing Sir Owen was appointed Chief Justice he held the office for twelve years 

Appointed chief justice on 18 April 1952, Dixon was sworn in three days later. He was 66 and was to hold office for twelve years.

His appointment was universally acclaimed. Many thought that he was the greatest judicial lawyer in the English-speaking world.

Others regarded him as the most distinguished living exponent of the common law. His judgments carried persuasive effects wherever the common law was applied.

He was elevated to G.C.M.G. in 1954 and was appointed to the Order of Merit in 1963. Honorary degrees were conferred upon him by the universities of Oxford.

As chief justice, Dixon defended the integrity and independence of the High Court with vigor. He staunchly opposed suggestions that it should move to Canberra.

8. Dixon was the president of the astonishing Wallaby club it’s the first true walking clubs

Owen Dixon by Unknown Arthur/

Dixon maintained an active personal life and was president of the Wallaby Club, The Wallaby Club is a private walking club in Melbourne, Victoria Australia.

It was established in 1894, the club is based on good fellowship, talking and an appreciation of both the natural and built environments.

The Wallaby Club is considered among the first true walking clubs in Australia. The club keeps a ceremonial walking stick known as the ANZAC stick.

9. The astonishing Sir Owen was the only son Of Joseph William Dixon who was deaf

Sir Owen Dixon, the judge, was born on April 1886 at Hawthorn, Melbourne, the only son of Joseph William Dixon barrister, and his wife Edith Annie Owen both from Yorkshire England.

Because of deafness Joseph left the Bar and formed a partnership as a solicitor with one of his brothers.

Owen was later to say that it was not easy being brought up in a deaf man’s house. He was, nevertheless fond of his father and as a young barrister would discuss cases with him.

10. The famous Dixon suffered from eyesight failure he died in 1972

Owen and Alice Dixon by unknown Arthur/

 Dixon’s poor health persisted and he was confined for most of his remaining life to his home at Hawthorn, for some considerable part of that time to his chair.

As Sir Owen’s eyesight failed, his son Franklin read aloud to him. Survived by his children, Dixon died on July 1972 at his home and was buried in Boroondara cemetery.