Frederick Birrell

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.

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