Robert Thomas (newspaper proprietor)
Encyclopedia
Robert Thomas was a newspaper proprietor, printer and early settler of South Australia
.
In 1836, Thomas migrated to the new colony with his wife Mary
and family on the Africaine, arriving at Holdfast Bay
on 8 November. He printed Governor Hindmarsh's
proclamation of the new colony (28 December 1836), and began printing copies of the South Australian Gazette and Colonial Register
. By 1838, the Register was a weekly newspaper. Thomas also printed copies of the South Australian Church Hymn Book for the Rev. Charles Howard
, the Royal South Australian Almanac (1838-1842) and from 1839, the Port Lincoln Herald and South Australian Commercial Advertiser.
The Register had a fierce policy of independence and this resulted in conflict with Governor George Gawler
, who was often criticised for his economic policies. Gawler was particularly attacked in September 1840 over his ordering of the execution of two Ngarrindjeri
men along the Coorong after the Maria shipwreck and the deaths of its passengers and crew. As a result, the Government ceased to use the services of Robert Thomas & Co. from 11 November 1840 - a loss to the company of ₤1650 a year.
After an unsuccessful trip to London to protest the lost of business from the Government, he returned to Adelaide, where he continued to be involved in further printing and publishing. He died on 1 July 1860 at his home in Hindley Street
. His wife Mary was a poet and diarist, who published The Diary of Mary Thomas, which is considered a valuable history of her voyage on the Africaine and the early days of the colony.
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
.
In 1836, Thomas migrated to the new colony with his wife Mary
Mary Thomas (diarist)
Mary Thomas née Harris was a diarist, poet and early settler of South Australia.She accompanied her husband, newspaper proprietor Robert Thomas to South Australia on the Africaine and arrived at Holdfast Bay in November 1836...
and family on the Africaine, arriving at Holdfast Bay
Glenelg, South Australia
Glenelg is a popular beach-side suburb of the South Australian capital of Adelaide. Located on the shore of Holdfast Bay in Gulf St Vincent, it has become a popular tourist destination due to its beach and many attractions, home to several hotels and dozens of restaurants.Established in 1836, it is...
on 8 November. He printed Governor Hindmarsh's
John Hindmarsh
Rear-Admiral Sir John Hindmarsh KH RN was a naval officer and the first Governor of South Australia, from 28 December 1836 to 16 July 1838.-Early life:...
proclamation of the new colony (28 December 1836), and began printing copies of the South Australian Gazette and Colonial Register
South Australian Register
The Register, originally the South Australian Gazette and Colonial Register, was the first South Australian newspaper. It was first published in London in June 1836 and folded almost a century later in February 1931....
. By 1838, the Register was a weekly newspaper. Thomas also printed copies of the South Australian Church Hymn Book for the Rev. Charles Howard
Charles Beaumont Howard
Charles Beaumont Howard was a colonial clergyman in South Australia.Howard was born in St Peter's Parish, Dublin, Ireland, the son of William Howard, a lieutenant in the Dublin City Corps of the Liberty Rangers. Howard graduated from Trinity College, Dublin with an M.A. in 1836.Howard was ordained...
, the Royal South Australian Almanac (1838-1842) and from 1839, the Port Lincoln Herald and South Australian Commercial Advertiser.
The Register had a fierce policy of independence and this resulted in conflict with Governor George Gawler
George Gawler
-External links: – Memorials and Monuments in Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK...
, who was often criticised for his economic policies. Gawler was particularly attacked in September 1840 over his ordering of the execution of two Ngarrindjeri
Ngarrindjeri
The Ngarrindjeri are a nation of eighteen "tribes" consisting of numerous family clans who speak similar dialects of the Ngarrindjeri language and are the traditional Aboriginal people of the lower Murray River, western Fleurieu Peninsula, and the Coorong of southern, central...
men along the Coorong after the Maria shipwreck and the deaths of its passengers and crew. As a result, the Government ceased to use the services of Robert Thomas & Co. from 11 November 1840 - a loss to the company of ₤1650 a year.
After an unsuccessful trip to London to protest the lost of business from the Government, he returned to Adelaide, where he continued to be involved in further printing and publishing. He died on 1 July 1860 at his home in Hindley Street
Hindley Street, Adelaide
Hindley Street is located in the West End of the centre of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. It runs between King William Street and West Terrace. The street was named after British parliamentarian and social reformist, Charles Hindley....
. His wife Mary was a poet and diarist, who published The Diary of Mary Thomas, which is considered a valuable history of her voyage on the Africaine and the early days of the colony.