(Image from page 5 of Most
Outstanding Bahamians of 20th Century by Jones Communications
International Ltd)
Alfred Francis Adderley combined many fine qualities of character and
brilliant intellect.
He was a leader in his church and community, a statesman, and a gentleman. He
was born on November 16, 1891 to Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Parliament Adderley, and
followed in his family's tradition.
Before Alfred's birth, the name of Adderley was well respected in legal and
administrative circles. He was the third member of the family to be elected to
the House of Assembly. His father, W. P. Adderley, C.B.E., J.P., served as a
House member for 35 years. His great uncle, William Campbell Adderley was one
of the first black men elected to that body.
Adderley's grandfather, Aladin, owned large estates in New Providence, but made
his home on Delancy Street.
Adderley earned his education in the Bahamas and abroad. He attended Boys
Central School and the Nassau Grammar School in New Providence. In the early
1900s he went to Denstone College, Staffordshire, England. By 1915 he graduated
with a Bachelor of Arts and Law (Hons.), From 1915 to 1919 he studied at Middle
Temple, England where he was called to the English Bar and soon after to the
Bahamas Bar. He further enhanced his academic credentials in 1935 by obtaining
a Master of Arts degree.
In his own calm and deliberate manner Mr. Adderley practiced in the courts
for 34 years. As the most outstanding trial lawyer of his time he defended more
criminal cases than his peers, and none of his clients went to the gallows.
Famous among his court appearances was his role as prosecutor in the Sir Harry
Oakes murder trial.
Among many noteworthy legal appointments, two stand out, First, in 1935
Adderley was selected as the legal advisor to the House of Assembly,
in which capacity he served for three years. The second occurred in the early
1950s. The then Governor, Sir Robert Neville attempted, as Sir Etienne Dupuch
has described, "to bridge a most difficult hurdle in the life of the community,"
by directly attacking the color line. Neville's association with and the
encouragement of the black community created resentment. Thus not surprisingly
in 1951 when Sir Robert appointed A. F. Adderley to the newly-vacant Chief
Justiceship, his decision met with opposition from the ruling clique in the
House of Assembly. Nevertheless, Adderley succeeded in becoming the first black
Chief Justice of the Bahamas.
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February 2010 at 6pm Talk
‘Over-the-Hill’ Grants Town by Sir
Orville Turnquest.
The Bahamas Historical Society (BHS)
is a non-profit organization dedicated to stimulating interest in
Bahamian History and to the collection and preservation of material
relating thereto. Its Headquarters, the former IODE Hall, was a gift
from the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (IODE). BHS is
on Shirley Street and Elizabeth Avenue in Nassau.
www.bahamashistoricalsociety.
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