John Davies

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Date of Birth1813
Death Date11 June 1872

ParliamentDevon
DesignationMLA
PartyIndependent
Term1862 to 1871

BiographyJohn Davies was born in London and convicted of fraud in 1830 at the age of 17. He was sentenced to 7 years in the colonies following his father who had received a similar sentence earlier that year. After discharge, he became an actor and joined the NSW police force later promoted to Chief Constable. In 1850, he left for Tasmania (then Van Diemen’s Land) to found the Hobart Mercury, taking over other local papers to become then as now the only newspaper in Hobart. Mr. Davies had a mercurial temperament and was frequently involved in assault charges including a one-month prison term. He was elected to the House of Assembly on three occasions but was defeated shortly before his death. He died in Hobart at the age of 59. His son, George Davies, also became a Tasmanian MP.