The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Dobson, Hon. Sir William Lambert
Dobson, Hon. Sir William Lambert, F.L.S., Chief Justice, Tasmania, brother of the preceding, eldest son of John Dobson, of Hobart Town, by Mary Anne, daughter of Matthew Atkinson, was born in 1833. He entered at the Middle Temple on Nov. 7th, 1853, received a certificate of honour in May 1856, and was called to the English bar on June 6th, 1856. He was called to the Tasmanian bar on Jan. 22nd, 1857, and married, in 1858, Fanny Louisa, daughter of Ven. William Henry Browne, LL.D., of Ballinvoher, co. Cork, Archdeacon of Launceston. He was appointed Crown Solicitor in 1859, and entered the House of Assembly in 1861, retaining his seat till 1870. He was Attorney-General in the Weston Administration from Feb. 5th to August 2nd, 1861, and in the Chapman Ministry from the latter date till Jan. 20th, 1863. He filled the same post in the Dry Ministry from Nov. 24th, 1866, to August 4th, 1869, and in the Wilson Ministry from that date till Feb. 5th, 1870, when he was appointed Puisne Judge of Tasmania, becoming Chief Justice on the retirement of Sir Francis Smith (q.v.), on Feb. 7th, 1885. Sir Lambert, who is Chancellor of the University of Tasmania, was sworn of the Executive Council on June 6th, 1861, and was created K.B. on August 16th, 1886. He administered the government from Nov. 18th, 1886, till March 11th, 1887.