Sir Adrian Dingli

Abstract

A GREAT jurist and a great statesman - that is what the name of Sir Adrian Dingli denotes and, in fact, a close examination of his life will most certainly unfold the mystery of real greatness. It is true that he is one of the most ''well-known" luminaries of Malta's past; but the knowledge of most of us - of the Maltese gentleman at large, of the sons of that Malta which he loved with an ardent devotion, it is sad to say, does not amount to much, perhaps not more than the vague notion that he was the author of the bulk of our civil laws. And, therefore it is to be hoped that this short biography will appeal to the hearts of the real Maltese, since it tends to record at least some of the effects wrought by Time's destructive might. His life sheds strong light on an entire period of our island's history. At one time he was the motive power of his country's destinies, the wielding force which joined together the interests of Malta and those of the Empire and, when perhaps the oceans swelled (since Nature ordains that at times it must be so), he led the ship - it may be called his ship - safely into harbour. His acts, actuated by profound love of country and by unbounded loyalty to his King proclaim a really life-long devotion; his was a life of such disinterested service to his land, that we can proudly stand up before all the world and say: "this was a Man".