# Robert Stout

_New Zealand politician and surveyor (1844-1930)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/robert-stout
Last updated: 2026-11-02

> Sir Robert Stout was a New Zealand politician who was the 13th premier of New Zealand on two occasions in the late 19th century, and later Chief Justice of New Zealand. He was the only person to hold both these offices. He was noted for his support of liberal causes such as women's suffrage, and for his strong belief that philosophy and theory should always triumph over political expediency.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 28 September 1844 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q945390#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Lerwick ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q945390#P19))
- **Died:** 19 July 1930 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q945390#P570))
- **Place of death:** Wellington ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q945390#P20))
- **Citizenship:** United Kingdom; New Zealand ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q945390#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; lawyer; judge; surveyor ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q945390#P106))
- **Political party:** New Zealand Liberal Party ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q945390#P102))
- **Education:** University of Otago ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q945390#P69))
- **Spouse:** Anna Stout ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q945390#P26))
- **Positions held:** Chief Justice of New Zealand (25 May 1899 – 31 January 1926); Minister of Education of New Zealand (8 January 1885 – 8 October 1887); Prime Minister of New Zealand (3 September 1884 – 8 October 1887); Prime Minister of New Zealand (16 August 1884 – 28 August 1884); Attorney-General of New Zealand (16 August 1884 – 8 October 1887); Attorney-General of New Zealand (13 October 1877 – 8 October 1879); Member of the New Zealand Parliament ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q945390#P39))
- **Awards:** Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q945390#P166))

## Questions

**When was Robert Stout born?**  
Robert Stout was born on 28 September 1844 in Lerwick.

**What positions has Robert Stout held?**  
Positions held by Robert Stout include: Chief Justice of New Zealand (1899–1926); Minister of Education of New Zealand (1885–1887); Prime Minister of New Zealand (1884–1887); Prime Minister of New Zealand (1884–1884); Attorney-General of New Zealand (1884–1887).

**Where did Robert Stout study?**  
Robert Stout was educated at University of Otago.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Robert Stout](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Stout) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q945390](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q945390) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Sir Robert Stout.PNG by Stanley Polkinghorne Andrew (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sir_Robert_Stout.PNG)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Robert Stout, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Sir Robert Stout.PNG — Stanley Polkinghorne Andrew, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Robert Stout". DigiNepal. Last updated 2 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/robert-stout. Retrieved 6 November 2026.