Roger Therry was born in Cork, Ireland in 1800 and came to Australia with his wife, Ann Riley (ne茅 Corley) in 1829. He was appointed as a commissioner in the Court of Requests and conducted a private legal practice in Sydney. He subsequently acted as Attorney-General and sat in the Legislative Council ex officio. When he stood for election in 1843, his opponent questioned whether he was a suitable candidate as he was a Roman Catholic. Therry won the election with the support of James Macarthur.
