Samuel Walker Griffith was born in 1845 in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, and migrated with his family to Queensland as a child. He received his early education in Ipswich and later at the University of Sydney, where he graduated with first-class honours in classics and mathematics. Griffith was admitted to the Queensland Bar in 1867 and quickly rose to prominence as one of the most gifted barristers of his generation. His mind was sharp, his command of language formidable, and his capacity for tireless work widely admired.

Griffith built a strong practice in commercial and criminal law. He was known for his analytical brilliance, particularly in appellate work, and often brought a scholarly edge to his legal arguments. He entered politics in the 1870s and held office as Attorney-General and later as Premier of Queensland. Throughout his political career he maintained his practice at the Bar, balancing legal mastery with legislative leadership. He was instrumental in reforms to the criminal code and played a leading role in shaping Queensland’s legal and political systems.

His most lasting contribution as a jurist may be found in the drafting of the Queensland Criminal Code, which became the model for criminal law reform throughout Australia and beyond. The code was notable for its clarity and rational organisation, and it reflected Griffith’s belief in the law as an instrument of justice, not merely of order.

In the 1890s Griffith became one of the leading architects of Australian federation. As a delegate to the Federal Conventions, he produced early drafts of what would become the Commonwealth Constitution. His legal knowledge and gift for compromise were pivotal in aligning the interests of the colonies. When the High Court of Australia was established in 1903, Griffith was appointed its first Chief Justice.

He presided over the Court with balance and authority, shaping the jurisprudence of the young federation. His decisions reflected a careful textual reading of the Constitution and a commitment to federalism. Griffith retired in 1919 and died the following year. His legacy endures in the structure of Australian law, in the clarity of his judgments, and in the institutions he helped to build from both the bench and the Bar.