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Robert Monahan

1898 – 1975

(1898-1975) barrister and judge

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About Robert Monahan

Lived 1898 – 1975 (aged 77). Robert Monahan was an Australian barrister and judge.

Sir Robert Vincent Monahan QC (11 April 1898 – 10 May 1975) was an Australian lawyer and judge who served on the Supreme Court of Victoria from 1955 to 1970.

Monahan was born in Swan Hill, Victoria, to Mary Frances (née Nolan) and Patrick Martin Monahan. He attended St Patrick's College, Ballarat, before going on to study law at the University of Melbourne. Monahan was admitted to the bar in 1923, and opened his own chambers in 1931. He developed a reputation as one of Melbourne's leading personal injury and criminal defence lawyers. Monahan appeared in over 100 murder trials, and only one of his clients was ever executed.

In March 1955, Monahan was appointed to the Supreme Court of Victoria in an acting capacity. His appointment was confirmed in October 1955. On the court, Monahan mainly adjudicated criminal trials, personal injury matters, and divorce cases. He was created a Knight Bachelor in 1967, and retired in 1970, succeeded by Ninian Stephen. Outside of his work, his chief passion was horse racing – he once won £50,000 on the Irish Sweepstakes Irish Derby with his bookmaker friend Albert Smith. Monahan married Lillie Elevia Bowman in 1929; they had four children.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
University of Melbourne, St Patrick's College
Positions held
Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria
Awards
Knight Bachelor
Also known as
Sir Robert Vincent Monahan, Robert Vincent Monahan

People in Robert Monahan's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Robert Monahan's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Robert Monahan?

(1898-1975) barrister and judge

When was Robert Monahan born?

Robert Monahan was born on 11 April 1898 in Swan Hill.

When did Robert Monahan die?

Robert Monahan died on 10 May 1975 in Fitzroy.

What was Robert Monahan's occupation?

Robert Monahan was a barrister and judge.

What nationality was Robert Monahan?

Robert Monahan was Australian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Robert Monahan

· Wikidata: Q21538200

· DBpedia: Robert Monahan

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert Monahan. https://biography.guide/robert-monahan/

MLA: "Robert Monahan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-monahan/.

Chicago: "Robert Monahan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-monahan/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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