Frederick Wimble facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frederick Wimble
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Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Cairns |
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In office 5 May 1888 – 29 April 1893 |
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Preceded by | New seat |
Succeeded by | Thomas Joseph Byrnes |
Personal details | |
Born |
Frederick Thomas Wimble
28 November 1846 London, England |
Died | 3 January 1936 Artarmon, Sydney, Australia |
(aged 89)
Occupation | Businessman, Newspaper owner |
Frederick Thomas Wimble (born 1846, died 1936) was an important Australian businessman. He was a pioneer in making printing ink and later owned newspapers. He also served as a politician in Queensland, Australia.
Contents
Early Life and Moving to Australia
Frederick Wimble was born in London, England, on November 28, 1846. He was one of many children in his family. His father, Benjamin Wimble, was famous for making colored printing ink in England. He even created the first red ink for Cambridge University Press.
When he was 21, Frederick traveled to Austria. Because he wasn't feeling well, his doctor suggested a sea trip. So, his father helped him travel to Australia. He arrived in Melbourne in July 1867.
Starting the Ink Business
Once in Australia, Frederick saw a great opportunity. He wrote to his father, suggesting there was a new market for printer's inks. His father quickly sent him fresh supplies and his secret ink recipes. He also sent an ink mill, a steam engine, and other important equipment.
Frederick made his first ink on May 4, 1868. He proudly stated that the Melbourne Star newspaper was the first in Australia to be printed with locally made ink. The next year, he got big contracts in other states. He supplied ink for printing South Australian postage stamps.
Family Life and New Ventures
On March 13, 1872, Frederick married Harriett Gascoigne. She was a widow with two children. They later had three more children together.
Between 1876 and 1878, Frederick traveled to the United States and Britain. He wanted to find new printing contracts. When he returned to Australia, he moved his company to Sydney.
By 1883, Frederick decided he wanted a change from the printing business. He moved to Queensland, hoping to become a "sugar baron." He bought land in the area. However, he soon returned to printing. He became the founder of the Cairns Post newspaper.
Political Career
In 1885, Frederick was elected as an alderman for his local council. This meant he helped manage the town. He then spent a lot of money, about £7000, on a campaign. He wanted to be elected to the Legislative Assembly of Queensland for the Cairns area.
He was elected on May 5, 1888, beating another candidate named Richard Kingsford.
While he was a politician, he married Marian Sarah Benjamin on August 16, 1890. They had three children and stayed married until her death in 1933. Frederick served as a member of the Legislative Assembly until 1893. He then stepped down, and Thomas Joseph Byrnes, who later became the Premier of Queensland, took his place.
Later Life and Legacy
After leaving politics, Frederick returned to printing and publishing. He started producing Wimble's Reminder. This was a mix of a catalog and a magazine. It ran from 1906 until 1957, long after he had passed away. In 1924, he wrote his own life story, called Climbing the Ladder.
Frederick Wimble was also an active Freemason. He was a member of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales.
Frederick Wimble passed away on January 3, 1936, in Artarmon, Sydney.