James Brickhill was educated at the Patterson Street Methodist School, Launceston and ‘as a boy became connected with the [Launceston] Examiner office when he served his time as a compositor. Subsequently he joined the literary staff and afterwards held the position of accountant.'
On 12 January 1882, Brickhill became ‘part proprietor of the Telegraph with Mr Bell. In the course of a few months he purchased his partner’s interest, and became sole proprietor, and in the following year converted the journal into a daily. This connection lasted for some years, and for a time he edited the paper himself.’
Brickhill was active in community affairs, ‘was always of a progressive mind, and was a great believer in the possibilities of Tasmania'. On one occasion, he stood for election to the Federal Parliament against King O’Malley in the electorate of Darwin.
Source: 'Death of Mr. James Brickhill', Examiner, 11 July 1908:8
Sighted: 15/08/2013