BEALE, Edgar (1916-1989)
President 1958-1959; 1966-1967; 1982-1983; 1986-1987. Honorary Life Member 1978
LONG TIME WORKERS FOR THE SOCIETY: As stated in our annual report our valuable members. Edgar Beale and W. G. McDonald were elected honorary life members at the December meeting. Both men have a record of some thirty years of membership, almost all of which have been spent as council members. holding office of one sort or another; of frequently addressing the Society giving the results of depth of researches and of frequently writing articles and books on Australian events
Edgar Beale joined the Society in 1946 and on joining the council in 1949 served as junior vice president; senior vice president in 1952; junior in 1956 and 57, becoming president in 1958 and 1959. after which he retired gracefully in those days before the Society adopted its two-year rule for the presidency. He remained a councillor for 1964, 65 and again served as president for 1966 and 67, after having served as museum curator and through his work, the Society secured its museum which was opened at the end of 1966.
He again became curator in 1968 until 1973 during which time the museum exhibits were acquired and arranged by an active committee which he headed. His suggestion of the construction of the blacksmith shop of the late 19th-early 20th century resulted in that acquisition in 1972 and at the present time a stockman's hut being restored marks the first building erected in Wollongong.
Edgar attended working bees in the operation of the museum. Edgar producd two notable books: "Kennedy of Cape York" and "Illawarra Sketchbook" and for services to Wollongong University and Australian History was awarded the title of Honorary Doctor by that institution in 1977. To Mr. Beale the Society extends its congratulations and looks forward to many years of further achievements.
Illawarra Historical Society Bulletin June. 1979
James Edgar Osborne Beale (1916-1989) was a solicitor, author and Illawarra historian. He was born in Sydney on 8 October 1916 to Francis Edgar Beale and his wife Clara Madoline Jean Osborne. His grandfather was the Sydney piano manufacturer Octavius Charles Beale (1850-1930). Edgar's maternal great-great-grandfather was the NSW medical practitioner and civil servant Henry Grattan Douglass (1791-1865). Through his mother, Edgar was collaterally descended from Illawarra pioneers, Charles Throsby Smith and Archibald Osborne. Edgar’s father died in 1918 leaving four children. Edgar’s mother later married Hector Robertson.
Edgar was articled as a legal clerk to solicitor, Harold Cox of Wollongong and admitted as a solicitor in 1939. During World War 2, he served with the 34th Battalion and after the war was an active member of Legacy. As well as the Illawarra Historical Society, Edgar was a member of a wide range of local organisations.
In later life, Edgar was of portly stature with a florid complexion. His height made him a somewhat imposing figure which was combined with a courtly nature. He was extremely erudite in his knowledge of Australian and Illawarra history. He could, however, sometimes spend too long providing a detailed explanation. Edgar mostly operated as sole-practitioner solicitor. He could be a persuasive advocate in the local court but occasionally upset magistrates. In later years, his practice was located in an old house in Kembla St. His sister, Jean, administered the office and Edgar concentrated on conveyancing and deceased estate administration. His office was crowded with stacks of files which included client papers, research he was undertaking and documents he hoped to research. Edgar was a solicitor by profession but an academic researcher by nature.
John Shipp
July 2018
| Honorary Doctorate citation 1977 |