John Gorrie was a respected colonial judge, albeit defiantly and decidedly not on the side of the ruling classes in the territories where he was posted. He believed that everyone - irrespective of race - was equal before the law, and in all his postings worked to make justice accessible to all and to protect the underdog. His beliefs and efforts were not universally welcomed - especially by elements of those ruling classes.


His unpublished novel was discovered almost a century after his death. It makes a significant contribution to unravelling the complex legacy of empire as well as offering new insights into the life and work of this early champion of equal human rights.


John Gorrie was born in Scotland, son of a United Presbyterian Minister. Educated at the University of Edinburgh, and called to the Scottish Bar. In 1862 he became a leader-writer on The Morning Starbefore beginning colonial life with a posting to Jamaica and then to Mauritius in 1869 initially as Substitute Procureur-General, and then puisne (junior) Judge. Later postings included Fiji as Chief Justice, Chief Judicial Commissioner of the Western Pacific High Commission. After being knighted in 1881, he was Chief Justice successively of the Leeward Islands, Trinidad, and of the united Trinidad and Tobago until 1892.