Newspaper proprietor and editor, Politician, Businessperson, Benefactor

John Langdon Bonython arrived in South Australia in July 1854 as a child with his family. At the age of 16 he was employed by The South Australian advertiser as a junior reporter. Bonython rose steadily in his career; editor John Henry Barrow promoted him to lead the literary staff. Bonython became rich through speculation in mining shares and in 1879 he bought a junior partnership in the newspaper. Five years later, Bonython became editor of The South Australian advertiser when he and Frederic Burden became joint proprietors of it and its associated newspapers. Bonython was to be editor for 45 years. He was the sole owner from 1903 until 1929 when it was bought by a public company. Under his editorship and ownership The South Australian advertiser became a success - Bonython dropped the price and this lead to an increase in circulation; increased the number of small advertisements included and incorporated more content that appealed to the growing middle-class.

A keen proponent of the federation of the Australian colonies, when this occurred in 1901 Bonython was elected to the first Commonwealth Government. He served in the House of Representatives for two terms. He favoured protectionism, the development of industry in South Australia and other small states, the 'White Australia' policy and the Commonwealth take over of the administration of the Northern Territory.

Bonython was concerned in education and advocated universal elementary education and technical education. He was also chair of the Adelaide school district board of advice and chair of Roseworthy Agricultural College council. Bonython served on the council of the University of Adelaide and was president of the council of the South Australian School of Mines and Industries for 50 years. He was a generous benefactor to both institutions; the Bonython Hall at Adelaide University is named for him. Bonython donated 100,000 on the occasion of South Australia's centenary to complete the building of the state's Parliament House. He also gave to Pirie Street Methodist Church, St Peter's Cathedral and the Salvation Army.

Bonython was a member of the Royal Commission on old-age pensions in 1905, advocating the pension as a right for all. He was chair of the Commonwealth Literary Fund from 1908 to 1929 and a commissioner assisting in the administration of the Australian Soldiers' Repatriation Acts of 1916 and 1917. Knighted in 1898, Bonython was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1908 and a Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 1919. Proud of his family's Cornish heritage, Bonython was for many years connected with the South Australian Cornish Association.

December 1864: Began working at The South Australian Advertiser

1884: Became joint owner of The South Australian Advertiser; also made editor, a position he would hold for 45 years

1903-1929: Sole proprietor and editor of The South Australian Advertiser

1883-1901: Chair of the Adelaide school district board of advice

1889: Elected president of the council of the South Australian School of Mines and Industries; held the position until his death

1895-1902: Chair of Roseworthy Agricultural College council

1898: Knighted for services to public education

1901-1906: Member of House of Representatives of the Australian Government

1903-1907: President of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia, South Australian Branch

9 November 1908: Made Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)

3 June 1919: Made Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG)

Themes: SA Newspapers: The Advertiser

Bonython, John Langdon. Personal papers, PRG 979

Faull, Jim. Sir Langdon Bonython, 1848-1939: a memorial address, [Adelaide?: Cornish Association of South Australia?], 1989

Johns, Fred. The Honourable Sir Langdon Bonython K.C.M.G.: an eminent Australian, [Canberra, Cornwall]: Camborne Printing Co., 1931

Serle, Percival. Dictionary of Australian biography, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, 1949, volume 1, pp. 91-92

Australian Dictionary of Biography online search for Bonython, John Langdon