Richard Meagher was at the centre of early Australian politics. But he had a scandalous past

About this episode

The episode explores the scandalous past of Richard Meagher and his political ambitions following a controversial legal case.

In 1895 Sydney solicitor Richard Meagher incited a campaign to free George Dean, a handsome, popular ferryman accused of attempting to poison his own wife, despite knowing he was guilty. The case became a scandal and Meagher was struck off. Meagher subsequently embarked on an ambitious political career, determined to hide this stain on his reputation and rebuild his life. Guest: Patrick Mullins, author of The Stained Man: a crime, a scandal, and the making of a nation , published by Scribe. Producers: David Marr and Catherine Zengerer

People in this episode

Hosts: David Marr, Catherine Zengerer

Guest: Patrick Mullins

Topics covered

• Australian politics
• scandals
• legal history
• 19th century
• biography

Keywords

• Richard Meagher
• George Dean
• scandal
• politics
• 19th century Australia
• Patrick Mullins
• The Stained Man

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Scribe

More episodes of Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast

• Why do we fixate on the human face? · June 11, 2026 · 26 min
• Madam War Criminal: 'Serbia's Iron lady' unrepentant at 95 · June 11, 2026 · 23 min
• Soweto: the uprising that changed South Africa · June 10, 2026 · 25 min
• The campaign to save PNG's Sepik river from an Australian mining company · June 10, 2026 · 26 min
• Ian Dunt's UK: Henry Nowak's murder sparks immigration backlash · June 9, 2026 · 14 min
• Will Switzerland vote to cap its population? · June 9, 2026 · 15 min