Radical Bob

<p>Some years ago, in the <i>Journal of Australian Colonial History</i>, Kerry Mills introduced us to colonial-born lawyer, George Robert Nichols (1809-1857), a 'Forgotten Patriot and Lawmaker' who became one of 'the most important elected legislators of the immediate pre-gold-rush period'. The main part of the article dealt with his time as the busiest non-government member in the New South Wales Legislative Council once he entered it, at the second general election, in 1848. He was later to serve as auditor general and secretary for lands and works in the first brief ministry after responsible government in 1856. A year after that he died, in mid-career, a fortnight short of his 48th birthday.¹ Mills' article was an important illumination of the career of a neglected politician. That neglect is evident in two outstanding books that appeared in time for the sesqui-centenary of responsible government in 2006: Irving's <i>The Southern Tree of Liberty</i>, and Cochrane's <i>Colonial Ambition</i>.² Despite Nichols' immense political energy, all the way to his death in 1857, he earned barely a mention in either book. This article offers the first comprehensive account of Nichols' background, a 'pre-history' of his legislative career that considers his character and motivations, and helps explain why he seemed to be a bad fit for the narratives of both Irving and Cochrane.</p>