Ebenezer Syme

Ebenezer Syme (* 1826 in North Berwick, Scotland, † March 13, 1860 in St. Kilda, Australia ) was a Scottish- Australian journalist.

Ebenezer Syme, the older brother of David Syme was born in 1826 in Scotland. He studied theology at the University of St Andrews. For the parish, however, he lacked the necessary faith and he went as a street preacher by the North of England. At the same time he began to write and in 1851 the assistant of John Chapman, the co-owner of the Westminster Review.

In April 1853 left Ebenezer Syme, partly for health reasons, England and sailed with his wife Jane Hilton and three young sons to Australia. Soon he also wrote there regularly for the newspaper The Argus, until he fell out the end of 1854 with the owner Edward Wilson because of content differences. Just one month later, he was hired at the newspaper The Age newly established. As also threatened to collapse this venture, he auctioned in June 1856 ado for 2000 pounds, the newspaper at an auction.

Because of his uncompromising commitment to any radical movement at this time, such as the 8- hour day, free land and a free, secular education, he was respected among the working class and had great influence. However, he made himself unpopular by at the merchants, homeowners and dealers. Not least for this reason was also the financial success of his newspaper. From 1856 to 1859 he was also elected member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly and representative of Loddon.

Symes health deteriorated rapidly and he was forced to his post as editor and manager of newspaper deliver end 1859. At 35, he died on 13 March 1860 in St Kilda, Melbourne.