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Frederick Birrell

1869 – 1939

Australian politician

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About Frederick Birrell

Lived 1869 – 1939 (aged 69). Frederick Birrell was a British and Australian typographer, politician, trade unionist and journalist.

Frederick William Birrell (27 August 1869 – 20 January 1939) was an Australian typographer and politician.

History Birrell was born in North Adelaide, a twin son of Eliza Birrell (née Banks) and Andrew Birrell, labourer, who married in 1865, then deserted his wife soon after Frederick and Albert Ernest Birrell were born. She and her children were helped by (later Sir) Robert Kyffin Thomas, general manager of the South Australian Register, and Frederick later gained employment as a printer with The Register and in 1892 became a member of the Typographical Society of South Australia. A few years later he started work at the Labor Party newspaper, The Herald, as a linotype operator. He also served as a journalist and member of its board of management.

Family Birrell married Ellen Thomas, a machinist, at College Park on 15 October 1903. They had no children.

Family relationship to S.A. unionist and MHR Frederick Ronald Birrell (1913–1985), if any, has not been found.

Notes and references

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Typographer, politician, trade unionist, journalist
Positions held
Member of the South Australian House of Assembly, Speaker of the South Australian House of Assembly
Also known as
Frederick William Birrell

People in Frederick Birrell's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Frederick Birrell's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Frederick Birrell?

Australian politician

When was Frederick Birrell born?

Frederick Birrell was born on 27 August 1869 in North Adelaide.

When did Frederick Birrell die?

Frederick Birrell died on 20 January 1939 in North Adelaide.

What was Frederick Birrell's occupation?

Frederick Birrell was a typographer, politician, trade unionist and journalist.

What nationality was Frederick Birrell?

Frederick Birrell was British and Australian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Frederick Birrell

· Wikidata: Q20313339

· DBpedia: Frederick Birrell

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Frederick Birrell. https://biography.guide/frederick-birrell/

MLA: "Frederick Birrell." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/frederick-birrell/.

Chicago: "Frederick Birrell." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/frederick-birrell/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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