This estimate is in conformity with the fact that he was appointed president of the charities commission in 1873, and that he was responsible for the founding of the Discharged Prisoners Aid Society in 1874.

An example of his courage and common sense is his judgment on the case dealing with the proceedings arising out of Annie Besant's pamphlet, The Law of Population, which was published separately in 1889 under the title, Ex Parte Collins.

His mother, a woman of much character, was left practically without means, but with some help from friends managed to buy part of her husband's estate on the Hunter River, worked it, and made a success of wine growing.

He was one of the first group to matriculate at the University of Sydney at the end of 1852, and during his course won a classical scholarship, and the prize for the English essay in each year.

In 1876 he was returned for the University of Sydney (beating Edmund Barton 49 votes to 43),[7] and from 22 March to 16 August 1877 was Attorney-General in the second Parkes ministry.

In 1878 he obtained the assent of the house to the establishment of grammar schools at Bathurst, Goulburn and Maitland with exhibitions to enable students to proceed to the university.

[10] Ian Barker QC described the trial as being run in an oppressive manner, with the defence counsel not commencing their address to the jury until after midnight and that Windeyer was biased against the accused.

[11] In 1895 Windeyer caused controversy by imposing the death penalty on George Dean for attempting to poison his wife.

On his way to Europe Windeyer accepted a temporary judicial appointment in Newfoundland, but died suddenly while at Bologna, Italy.