title: 1879 University of Sydney colonial by-election
text: # 1879 University of Sydney colonial by-election
  
  A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of University of Sydney on 15 July 1879 because William Windeyer resigned to accept a temporary appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court.
  
  While there was no qualification for candidates, Edmund Barton had graduated with a Master of Arts in 1870. and Arthur Renwick was an examiner in medicine and had been elected to the Senate of the University of Sydney in 1877. Barton was the unsuccessful candidate for the seat at the first election in 1876, while this was Renwick's first attempt at parliament. Renwick would be elected to parliament 4 months later at the East Sydney by-election.
  
  ## Dates
  
  | Date | Event |
  | - | - |
  | 10 August 1879 | William Windeyer resigned. |
  | 11 August 1879 | Writ of election issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. |
  | 23 August 1879 | Nominations at the Great Hall of the University |
  | 26 August 1879 | Polling day |
  | 9 September 1879 | Return of writ |
  
  ## Result
  
  1879 University of Sydney by-election Tuesday 26 August :
  
  | Candidate | Candidate | Votes | % |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | Edmund Barton (elected) | Edmund Barton (elected) | 58 | 60 |
  | Arthur Renwick | Arthur Renwick | 38 | 40 |
  | Total formal votes | Total formal votes | 96 | 100 |
  | Informal votes | Informal votes | 0 | 0 |
  | Turnout | Turnout | 96 | 57 |
  