Charles Ellis Davies, son of
John Davies, took over the management of the Hobart
Mercury with his brother
John George Davies in 1871. During the proprietorship of the brothers, the
Mercury 'established itself as the colony's dominant newspaper and printing works. It retained a conservative attitude but its new owners, by continually expanding and modernizing, placed the
Mercury in an unchallengeable position. The weekly
Tasmanian Mail was begun during their term of management in 1877.'
Davies was managing director of the company and, like his brother, was active in the affairs of Van Diemen's Land. His interests extended to Freemasonry, politics, the theatre, agriculture and horse racing. He was the 'Tasmanian representative at the Imperial Press Conference in London (1908) and Ottawa (1920)' and was the elected representative for the Cambridge in the Legislative Council.
Source: Peter Boyer, 'Davies, Sir John George (1846-1913)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/davies-sir-john-george-5909/text10063
Sighted: 17 April 2013.
