Alf Hanlon

Alfred Charles Hanlon KC (1 August 1866 – 6 February 1944) was a New Zealand lawyer, who, according to the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, "was one of the most outstanding criminal advocates in New Zealand's history".^[1][3] He was born in Dunedin, New Zealand, where he lived and died, though he represented clients nationwide.^[1] Hanlon represented at least 16 people charged with murder, but he is best known for his first defence case, in which he represented the only woman to be hanged in New Zealand, Minnie Dean.^[1][4] Dean was the only murder defendant of Hanlon's to be hanged.^[1]

Alf Hanlon KC
Born	Alfred Charles Hanlon (1866-08-01)1 August 1866 Dunedin, New Zealand
Died	6 February 1944(1944-02-06) (aged 77) Dunedin, New Zealand
Resting place	Andersons Bay Cemetery[1] 45°54′17.03″S 170°31′58.13″E (row)[2]
Occupation	Lawyer
Employers	J. A. D. Adams (1882–1888) Himself (1888–post 1930)[1]
Known for	Representing Minnie Dean
Spouse	Mary Ann "Polly" Hudson ​ ​ (m. 1894; died 1940)​ [1]
Children	2 daughters, 1 son[1]

Hanlon's career was the subject of a 1985 New Zealand television drama series, called Hanlon.^[3] The series was a critical and a commercial success, and was nominated for Best Overseas Program at the 1986 Emmy Awards.^[3] Its first episode, In Defence of Minnie Dean, "contributed to a re-evaluation of Dean's conviction",^[4] and won the Best Director, Best Drama Programme, Drama Script, and Performance, Female, in a Dramatic Role categories at the 1986 Listener Television Awards (also called the GOFTA Awards).^[3][5] David Gwillim, who played Hanlon, won Best Performance, Male, in a Dramatic Role at the awards for his performance in the series, and Terry Gray's music won Best Original Music.^[3]

References

1. Hall, Geoffrey G. "Alfred Charles Hanlon". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
2. "Cemetery Details: Hanlon, Alfred Charles". Dunedin City Council website: Cemeteries search. Dunedin, New Zealand: Dunedin City Council. OCLC 586123164. Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
3. "Hanlon". NZ On Screen. Wellington New Zealand: NZ On Air. OCLC 268791231. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
4. "Hanlon – In Defence of Minnie Dean". NZ On Screen. Wellington New Zealand: NZ On Air. OCLC 268791231. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
5. "1986 Winners – Listener Television Awards". KIWITV. 3 May 2007. Retrieved 30 July 2012.

External links

• In Defence of Minnie Dean, the first episode of the Hanlon television series, streamed free at NZ On Screen
• Hanlon, 1985 New Zealand television drama series