Alexander Sutherland, 1852-1902 was a polymath who began life as a teacher, then headmaster. He turned to journalism in his retirement when his finances were badly hit during the 1892-93 depression . He wrote leaders for the Australasian and the Argus over 1895-97 before trying his hand at politics. In 1897, after failing to win a seat in the Legislative Assembly, the first of two failed attempts to join the parliament. He briefly took a post in London as correspondent for the South Australian Register. Back home in Melbourne, he continued his journalism before taking a position in 1902 as registrar of Melbourne University. Sutherland’s writings were prolific and varied, and included poetry, fiction, history, and scientific works.
Selected articles:
- “Neglected Children“, part 1 , Argus, 10 May, 1887,
- “Neglected children”, part 2 , Argus, 17 May, 1887,