The life of Boyle Travers Finniss (1807-1893)

Abstract

Boyle Travers Pinnies came to South Australia when his hopes of a military career had been shattered. His original intention was to become a member of the landed gentry in a new colony where only the best aspects of the British social system would be retained. When this proved impracticable he set out to make a name for himself in other fields. Finniss was a prominent figure in South Australian politics for a quarter of a century and progressed slowly but surely until he reached the highest positions in the province. It is ironic that Finniss, a man who spent all his life endeavouring to keep his image before the public eye, should die in compatative obscurity and that today his name is rarely mentioned in South Australian school text books. Undeniably he had many opportunities to achieve his ambition to become a great figure in colonial history but he neglected to make the most of his chances. His failure to reach his goal was due partly to his limited ability and to a greater extent to this propensity in times of stress to sacrifice principles for expediency.