The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Byrnes, Hon. Thomas Joseph
Byrnes, Hon. Thomas Joseph, M.L.C., B.A., LL.B., Solicitor-General, Queensland, was born in Brisbane in Nov. 1860, and was educated at the Primary School, Bowen, where he won two State School Scholarships, and entered the Brisbane Grammar School, where he won the Lilley Gold Medal three times. Subsequently he was successful in the Junior Examination at Sydney University, and at the Melbourne University Matriculation Examination passed first on the list, and won an Exhibition to the University. He also won several scholarships and graduated with honours, taking the B.A. and LL.B. degrees. He was called to the bar in Victoria in 1884, and then returned to Queensland, where he read in the chambers of Mr. Real for one year, and commenced practice in 1885, speedily obtaining a leading position at the Supreme Court Bar. In August 1890 he accepted a seat in the Legislative Council, with the post of Solicitor-General in the Griffith-McIlwraith Ministry.