Angas Parsons

Sir Herbert Angas Parsons, KBE, KC (23 May 1872 – 2 November 1945), generally known as Sir Angas Parsons, was a Cornish Australian lawyer, politician and judge.

Early life and education Parsons was born in North Adelaide on 23 May 1872, the only son of Cornish born minister and politician John Langdon Parsons (1837–1903) and his first wife Rose.

He was educated at Prince Alfred College and Roseworthy Agricultural College before spending three years following "pastoral and financial pursuits". He then studied law at the University of Adelaide, serving his articles with George Ash and graduating in March 1897, aged 24.

Career He was admitted to the Bar later in 1897. He joined with Patrick McMahon Glynn, KC. in partnership in 1898; It was around June of this year that he became universally referred to as "Angas Parsons". He was briefly Attorney-General of South Australia and minister of education in 1915. Parsons was appointed King's Counsel in 1916, a judge of the Supreme Court in 1921, senior puisne judge in 1927, and acting chief justice in 1935. On occasions, Parsons acted as Lieutenant-Governor of South Australia and, after his father's death, in 1904 he became consul for Japan. and appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1945. He retired in 1945 and, having "spent many hours at the Adelaide Club, preferring its convivial atmosphere to his wife's Methodism". They had two sons, who were given the double-barrelled surname of "Angas-Parsons" to preserve their father's matrilineal name.

Mary Elsie Parsons served with distinction as Mayoress at official functions for her widowed brother Sir John Lavington Bonython in 1911 and 1912.

Parsons died of cirrhosis on 2 November 1945. He was buried with his parents in North Road Cemetery.

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