John Andrew Tennant Mortlock

Dorothy and John Mortlock, possibly at the time of their marriage in 1948.

John Andrew Tennant Mortlock (30 March 1894 – 15 March 1950) was a pastoralist in South Australia, remembered as a major benefactor of the State Library of South Australia and commemorated by the "Mortlock Wing" of the library.

History

Mortlock was born at Mintaro, South Australia, the second son of pastoralist William Tennant Mortlock (1858 – 17 August 1913) and his wife Rosina Forsyth "Rosye" Mortlock, née Tennant (1865 – 12 August 1939).

He was educated at F. I. Caterer's Glenelg Grammar School then followed his father as a student at St. Peter's College and Jesus College, Cambridge. In 1913, on receiving news of his father's death, he left without graduating and took charge of the family properties, which included Martindale Estate and Martindale Hall, as well as cattle and sheep stations and other properties in Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria.

He was a successful stud Merino sheep breeder. when Mortlock was mortally ill, suffering from cancer,

His South Australian estate alone was sworn for probate at £1,148,124. His widow Dorothy Mortlock became involved with the State Library of South Australia as a member of the management committee and of the "Friends of the SLSA" and gave generously to a number of charities.

The Mortlock Wing of the Library was named in recognition of his munificence.