Born in Scotland, John Blair was educated at Ayr Academy before serving an apprenticeship with his watchmaker father. In 1886, he was induced to emigrate to Queensland by the success of Sir Thomas McIlwraith, Premier of Queensland and also a native of Ayr. Settling in Mackay, Blair opened a watchmaker's business. He was a regular contributor to various newspapers, and in 1888 he was offered a temporary position as a writer at The Telegraph in Brisbane. When his contract ended in April 1889, he moved to The Morning Bulletin in Rockhampton where he served as sub-editor. From November 1896 Blair became editor of the newspaper as well as joint proprietor with William McIlwraith.
Source: Rod Kirkpatrick. Sworn to No Master. Toowoomba: Darling Downs Institute Press, 1984.