James Hay Gosse

Sir James Hay Gosse (21 December 1876 – 14 August 1952) was an Australian businessman, sportsman, and philanthropist. He was involved with a number of different companies and community organisations in and around Adelaide, South Australia.

Early life Gosse was born in Kent Town, Adelaide, the second of three children born to the explorer William Gosse and his wife Agnes (née Hay). His father died when he was four years old. His grandfathers were the surgeon William Gosse Sr. and the politician Alexander Hay. Gosse was educated at St Peter's College, Adelaide, leaving in 1896. He was a talented player of Australian rules football, playing for the Norwood Football Club between 1894 and 1905 as a ruckman. He won premierships in 1894 and 1904, and represented South Australia in four interstate games. He also excelled at rowing, representing his state between 1902 and 1905; he was later president of the Adelaide Rowing Club from 1924 to 1931.

Personal life On 29 April 1908, Gosse married Joanna Lang Barr Smith, the daughter of the pastoralist Tom Elder Barr Smith. The couple had five children together. His daughter Mary married the politician and diplomat Sir Alick Downer; their son Alexander Downer also entered politics. A nephew, George Gosse, was a decorated soldier.