Members of the New South Wales Legislative Council, 1856–1861

This is a list of members of the New South Wales Legislative Council from 1856 to 1861. The first appointments to the Legislative Council following self-government were in May 1856; these were intended to be for five-year terms. However, in May 1861 Premier Charles Cowper attempted to stack the Council with a large number of appointees, and this prompted a mass resignation from sitting MLCs. The Council was therefore prorogued, and a new Council appointed in September. This list includes members between May 1856 and September 1861.