James Joynton Smith

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Sir James Joynton Smith
Sir James Joynton Smith

Sir James Joynton Smith KBE (4 October 1858 - 10 October 1943) was an Australian hotelier, racecourse and newspaper owner, and mayor of Sydney.

Born in London, Smith arrived in Sydney in 1890 and entered the hotel industry. In 1901, his interest in sports lead to him taking out a lease at Brighton racecourse at Rockdale, and later the Forest Lodge racecourse in Glebe. In 1908 he opened the Victoria Park racecourse at Zetland, turning it into a showplace for horse and pony racing and trotting.[1]

After failing in a bid for a State Legislative Assembly seat, Smith he was appointed for life to the Legislative Council in 1912. He was never active in the Council and retired in 1933. From 1916 to 1918 he was an independent alderman of Sydney Municipal Council for Bligh Ward. He served as Lord Mayor of Sydney in 1917. After his defeat in politics in 1918, he launched the newspaper Smith's Weekly for which he is perhaps best remembered. Knighted in 1920, he remained chairman of Smith's Newspapers until 1939.[1]

Smith died died in 1943 survived by his third wife and their son and daughter. He is remembered by Joynton Ave, named after him in Zetland.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Smith, Sir James John Joynton (1858 - 1943) Australian Dictionary of Biography, Online Edition. Accessed 16 January, 2008.
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