Francis Burt

For the Nebraska Territory Governor by the same name, see Francis Burt (Nebraska).

Sir Francis Burt AC, KCMG, QC
29th Governor of Western Australia
In office 29 March 1990 – 31 October 1993
Monarch	Queen Elizabeth II
Preceded by	Gordon Reid
Succeeded by	Michael Jeffery
11th Chief Justice of Western Australia
In office 1977–1988
Preceded by	Lawrence Jackson
Succeeded by	David Malcolm
Personal details
Born	Francis Theodore Page Burt 14 June 1918(1918-06-14) Cottesloe, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Died	8 September 2004(2004-09-08) (aged 86) Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Alma mater	University of Western Australia
Military service
Nickname(s)	"Red"
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Royal Australian Navy Royal Australian Air Force
Years of service	1940–1942 (RAN) 1943–1946 (RAAF)
Rank	Flight Lieutenant
Unit	HMAS Leeuwin No. 10 Squadron RAAF

The Old Courthouse adjoining the Supreme Court Buildings in Stirling Gardens which house the Francis Burt Law Education Centre and Museum.

Sir Francis Theodore Page Burt, AC, KCMG, QC (14 June 1918 – 8 September 2004), commonly known as "Red", Australian jurist, served as Chief Justice of Western Australia from 1977 until 1988 and as Governor of Western Australia from 1990 to 1993. He was also Lieutenant Governor of the State from 1977 to 1990. His great grandfather, Sir Archibald Burt, was also Chief Justice of Western Australia from 1861–79. His grandfather, Hon. Septimus Burt KC, was Attorney General and Agent General (Acting) when responsible government was granted to Western Australia in December 1890.

He was educated at Guildford Grammar School and later studied law at the University of Western Australia. During World War II he served in the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force.

After being admitted to the Bar in 1941, Burt gained his skills as a Queen's Counsel in 1959, and in 1961 founded the independent Bar in Western Australia. With others, he established Bar Chambers in 1962.

He was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 1969, a position he held until 1977 when he was promoted to Chief Justice. He retired in 1988.

The Francis Burt Chambers located in Allendale Square, Perth, and the Francis Burt Law Education Centre and Museum in Stirling Gardens are both named in his honour.

Burt was afforded a state funeral on his death in 2004. He is buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.

See also

• Judiciary of Australia

References

Legal offices
Preceded by Sir Lawrence Jackson	Chief Justice of Western Australia 1977–1988	Succeeded by David Malcolm
Government offices
Preceded by Professor Gordon Reid	Governor of Western Australia 1990–1993	Succeeded by Major-General Michael Jeffery