Pratt, a Presbyterian minister, was one of seven children born to English parents William Pratt, pharmacist, and his wife Eleanor, née Alexander. He was educated at Newington College, won the Schofield Scholarship and shared the general profiency medal with (Sir) John Peden. Pratt graduated from the University of Sydney (B.A., 1892; M.A., 1897) with first-class honours in Latin and the University gold medal for logic and mental philosophy. Before commencing his Congregational ministry Pratt visited the other colonies and New Zealand in his capacity as travelling secretary for the Student Christian Movement. He later studied at Camden College under Dr J. G. Fraser. Pratt was ordained in 1897 and spent thirteen years as a minister in country towns before preaching at the more prestigious churches in Brisbane, Sydney and Hobart. His scholarly reputation and energy led to his election as chairman of the Congregational Union in three states.
Niel Gunson argues: 'Conspicuous in public life as scholar, church unionist and nationalist, Pratt had a wide literary and artistic acquaintance both in university and church circles including G. W. Thatcher and J. Le Gay Brereton. He contributed to various publications including the first edition of the Australian Encyclopaedia (1926). One of his hymns, "For Australia", was published in the supplement for overseas dominions in the Congregational Hymnary ... As an ecumenist he preached throughout his ministry on church union ... As a nationalist he studied the Australian people "from a physical anthropological view". His early views, entitled "The Anglo-Saxon race in Australia", were expressed in the 1901 annual lecture on religion and science at Camden College.' Pratt believed Australians could excel in many areas including art, religion, scholarship and sport.
Pratt had married Agnes Elizabeth Waddell of Singleton in 1897 and had a daughter and four sons including the artist Douglas Pratt (q.v.) and Bruce Pratt (q.v.), General Editor of the Australian Encyclopaedia, who married Pixie O'Harris (q.v.).
(Source: Adapted from Niel Gunson, 'Pratt, Frederick Vicary (1870 - 1932)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 11, MUP, 1988, pp 275-276.)
