James Scobie

James Scobie was a Scottish gold digger murdered at Ballarat, Victoria, Australia on 7 October 1854. He was born on 29 November 1826.

An inquest into his death was held the same afternoon. At the inquest, the hotel keeper, James Bentley, and his staff denied taking part in the death despite a sound case against them. The magistrate found that there was not enough evidence against Bentley and as a result the matter was adjourned.

Miners felt that justice had not been served and made a plan. The diggers had a meeting that grew out of control and ended with a riot outside Bentley's Hotel. This resulted to it burning to the ground on 17 October because of the miners anger. Three men were arrested and extra troops were sent from Melbourne.

These actions caused more frequent license inspections, the death of a drummer boy, soldiers were pelted with rocks and more arrests were made.

New evidence came to light and a trial was held in Melbourne's Supreme Court commencing 18 November : Queen v. James Francis Bentley, Catherine Bentley, William Henry Hance and Thomas Farrell in the murder of James Scobie. Judge Redmond Barry presided over the case. James Bentley, William Hance and Thomas Farrell were all found guilty of manslaughter and were each sentenced on 20 November to three years hard labour on the roads. Catherine Bentley was found not guilty.

On the afternoon of 20 November Judge Barry presided over the trial of the Bentley's Hotel Rioters.

Scobie's death and the acquittal of the hotel keeper at the inquest were part of the catalyst of the events leading to the Eureka Stockade.

Scobie is buried in the old Ballarat cemetery. His grave is marked by a broken column, a symbol of a life cut short.