George Allen

George Allen (23 November 1800 – 3 November 1877) was a British-born Australian colonial attorney and politician in New South Wales. He was the founder of Australia's oldest law firm, Allens.

Early life Allen was the second son of Mary and Dr. Richard Allen, physician to George III, and was born in London on 23 November 1800. Following his father's death, his mother wed Thomas Collicott in 1809. Collicott was convicted of fraud over revenue stamps and was transported to New South Wales on the Earl Spencer in October 1813. Mary applied for assistance to join her husband and arrived in Sydney with five children, including George, on the Mary Ann in January 1816.

Allen was intensely religious, joining the Methodist Society in 1821. He played a significant role in Sydney's Methodist community and the Temperance Society.

Legal and commercial career He was the first attorney and solicitor to receive his training in New South Wales and be admitted by the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Allen encountered much difficulty in maintaining his status against the English-bred attorneys who desired to monopolise the practice.

In addition to conducting his legal practice, Allen was the founding director and solicitor of the Australian Gaslight Company in 1836, and was later solicitor, director and president of the Savings Bank of New South Wales.

He was appointed honorary Police Magistrate of the City and Port. In 1856 he became a member of the present Legislative Council, and was elected Chairman of Committees, but was forced by failing eyesight to resign that office in 1873, Their eldest son was George Wigram (16 May 1824 – 23 July 1885), also practiced as a solicitor, joining the business in 1847, becoming his father's partner and successor. Their youngest son was William Boyce (4 August 1848 – 9 June 1929). He was born at Toxteth Park and was educated at Dr. Pendrlll's School and from 1865 at Newington College at Newington House on the Parramatta River. Following school he raised cattle in the far-west of New South Wales and after returning to Sydney became one of the first sworn valuators under the Real Property Act. Allen and his wife, Adelaide (née Hamburger), had four daughters and two sons.

Death Allen, who was a prominent member of the Wesleyan-Methodist church, died at his home, Toxteth Park in Glebe, on . He was buried at the old Wesleyan Cemetery at Rookwood. Upon his death, The Sydney Morning Herald referred to him as "one of the foremost public citizens, who overcame the temptation of successful men to live a life of easy self-indulgence".

The Toxteth Estate has long since been subdivided for inner-city housing. The name survives in the popular Toxteth Hotel in Glebe Point Road, the type of establishment so loathed by the pious Wesleyan.