Philip Dearman MennellFRGS, (10 March 1851 – 19 October 1905) was an English-born encyclopaedist, journalist and newspaper owner, active in Australia, author of theDictionary of Australasian Biography (1892).[1]
Mennell was born inNewcastle upon Tyne in England, the fourth son of George Mennell, acokemaker, and his wife Hannah,née Tuke. Philip was the grandson ofSamuel Tuke, theQuaker philanthropist and mental-health reformer.[1]
Mennell was privately educated and publishedLord John Manners, a Political Biography in 1872. Mennell studied law, was admitted as a solicitor, but soon afterward migrated toVictoria, Australia.[1]
From May 1877, Mennell printed and published the BairnsdaleAdvertiser, becoming part-owner in 1879.[1] In 1882, Mennell left forMelbourne and worked forThe Age as acting sub-editor and leader-writer.[1]
Mennell returned to London in 1883 and representedThe Age's cable syndicate. In 1891 Mennell revisited Australia as special correspondent for theDaily Chronicle. The following year he published hisDictionary of Australasian Biography,[1] sub-titledComprising Notices of Eminent Colonists From the Inauguration of Responsible Government Down to the Present Time,[2] which contained over 1500 entries. Mennell also publishedThe Coming Colony in 1892, on Western Australia.[1]
Mennell was also editor-proprietor of theBritish Australasian and New Zealand Mail from December 1892 until shortly before his death. He died in London, England, on 19 October 1905.[1]
Works by or aboutPhilip Mennell atWikisource