Francis Hodgson Nixon

Francis Hodgson Nixon (c. 1832 – 5 November 1883) was an Australian architect, newspaper owner, and the grandfather of playwright Mona Brand.

Early life and education Francis Hodgson Nixon was the son of a Royal Navy captain and received a liberal education in England.

Career In 1846, Nixon became a pupil of the London-based architect and surveyor William Wallen Jr. In 1852, Nixon immigrated to Victoria where he was engaged as an architect, reportedly "having duly accredited certificates, in superintending the erection of government buildings in the Ovens–Beechworth district". his indenture agreement had been annulled, by mutual consent, on 22 June 1849.

When the population had settled, he started and briefly edited the Ovens and Murray Advertiser. He then acted as secretary to the Bendigo waterworks and subsequently edited the Hamilton Spectator and Wagga Wagga Advertiser. He was at one time associated with the well known Mr. G. C. Levey in the conduct of the Melbourne Morning Herald. About 1879, he moved to Rockhampton, Queensland and joined the Daily Northern Argus, eventually assuming the role of proprietor He ended his career in architecture in 1881, possibly due to stress gained from overworking.

Personality and writing style Nixon was reputed by his peers to have had an excellent memory, strong intelligence and enthusiasm, and profound taste in literary culture, being well experienced in literature and politics despite not undergoing training in journalism. His style of composition and the manner in which he reproduced the thoughts and words of speakers was described as easy and graceful. Despite differences of opinion with others, he was able to avoid personal antagonism with his acquaintances. He was earnest in his advocacy of any cause which he took up, and in his long connection with the press exercised considerable influence on the communities in which he worked.