b'Sir Norman Lethbridge Cowper Norman Lethbridge Cowper was born in Roseville, Sydney,Cowper developed an early interest in political life and in 1896. For generations his family had held esteemedheld senior positions in the National Party at branch and public roles in New South Wales, dating back to Captainthen state level. After the Second World War he left his Phillip Gidley King, the third governor of the colony.political aspirations behind and focused his attention on Normans great-grandfather, Sir Charles Cowper, was therebuilding the firm.second premier of New South Wales and his grandfather, Charles Cowper, was a politician and police magistrateCowpers skills as a lawyer, capacity for hard work, who became the colonys sheriff. Norman followed in theirenthusiasm and warmth saw him assume a position of footsteps, becoming the senior partner of Allen Allen &leadership in the firm. His commitment to the broader Hemsley, a doyen of the profession and a leading publiccommunity was evident through his work with the Australian figure of his time.Institute of International Affairs, his role in establishing the Australian Institute of Political Science, and his longstanding After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Sydneyassociation with the Australian National University and University in 1918, Cowper spent a year as a jackeroo,Sydney Grammar School.stockman and boundary rider on sheep stations in outback New South Wales. Upon his return he entered law school atHe was responsible for transforming Allen Allen & Hemsley Sydney University and become articled to his father, Cecilfrom a family-r un business to a modern commercial law Cowper, a partner at Allen Allen & Hemsley.firm. He was a decisive leader who enjoyed the support of all who worked with him. An active company director, he often Unable to enlist for military service in the First World Warheld up to six board positions at a time and was president of (because of rheumatic fever as a child), Cowper was acceptedthe Law Society of New South Wales from 1958 to 1959. In into the Australian Imperial Force in 1941, rising to assistant1958 Cowper was appointed a Commander of the Order of provost marshal and serving in New Guinea, Hollandia andthe British Empire for services to education and in 1967 was Morotai Island. appointed a Knight Bachelor for distinguished public service.130'