Portrait bust of Sir Roger Therry

1870
marble on wooden stand
Donated by Mrs Sophia Therry, 1912
XR 31

Arriving in Australia from Britain in 1829, judge and politician Sir Roger Therry was an influential humanist who played an active role in promoting education at all levels. His likeable character, good connections and passion for equality were instrumental in shaping the academic framework of this country. Therry’s roles during his 30 years in Australia included serving as a founding senator of the University of Sydney as well as one of the first committee members of the NSW Public Library. Therry was also one of the colony’s most prominent Catholics, at a time when there was significant tension between the established Anglican church and Catholicism.

Therry’s association with the Library began in 1831 in the days of the Subscription Library, a private library reserved for the privileged few. As an active member and committee man, Therry was part of a group that sent a letter to the government requesting the construction of a ‘Public Library’ and supported abolishing member ballots as well as the expensive membership fees. This gave greater public access to a wealth of resources, and formed the foundation of the State Library as we know it today.

This marble bust of Sir Roger Therry was sculpted in Rome in 1870 by Charles Summers, four years before Therry’s death in 1874.