Richard Meagher was at the centre of early Australian politics. But he had a scandalous past

Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast · Apr 29, 2026 · 37m

In 1895 Sydney solicitor Richard Meagher incited a campaign to free George Dean, a handsome, popular ferryman accused of attempting to poison his own wife, despite knowing he was guilty. The case became a scandal and Meagher was struck off. Meagher subsequently embarked on an ambitious political career, determined to hide this stain on his reputation and rebuild his life.

Guest: Patrick Mullins, author of The Stained Man: a crime, a scandal, and the making of a nation, published by Scribe.

Producers: David Marr and Catherine Zengerer