Mrs Carl Fischer
Australian critic, journalist and headmistress
About Mrs Carl Fischer
Lived 1834 – 1896 (aged 61–62). Mrs Carl Fischer was a music critic, theatre critic, columnist and head teacher.
Jane Sara "Jenny" Fischer (, formerly Dredge; 1834 – 6 October 1896), better known as Mrs Carl Fischer, was an English-born Australian music and theatre critic, journalist and headmistress. Her father, William Edwards Dredge was honorary secretary of the Melbourne Philharmonic Society. The following year, on 23 June 1866 she married Wilhelm Carl Fischer, son of a Berlin banker at Christ Church, St Kilda.
In September 1870 she and her husband took over ownership and co-principals of Ladies' College, Geelong. Due to her husband's ill health, they were forced to quit the College in February 1878. A function was held at which a testimonial was presented to Fischer, recognising the impact of her contribution to education in Geelong. While there, she contributed articles on musical and theatrical performances to Melbourne newspapers.
In 1879, she visited Sydney to write reviews of performances by the Lyster Opera Company for The Sydney Morning Herald.
Working with Lady Windeyer, Fischer was recognised as one of the instigators of the 1888 Exhibition of Women's Industries.
The Bulletin in 1927 noted that "in those days [1880s] women journalists were almost unknown" and that "the only prominent woman worker on the Sydney newspapers was old Mrs. Carl Fischer". Fischer continued working for the Mail, almost until her death. Her role with that paper was taken over by Zara Aronson the following year. Her funeral and burial took place at Waverley Cemetery on 7 October and many telegrams, letters of sympathy and floral wreaths were received. A fund was established in her memory and £125 raised towards the education of her grandson.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Mrs Carl Fischer's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Mrs Carl Fischer's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Mrs Carl Fischer?
Australian critic, journalist and headmistress (1834–1896)
When was Mrs Carl Fischer born?
Mrs Carl Fischer was born in 1834 in Gloucestershire.
When did Mrs Carl Fischer die?
Mrs Carl Fischer died on 6 October 1896.
What was Mrs Carl Fischer's occupation?
Mrs Carl Fischer was a music critic, theatre critic, columnist and head teacher.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Mrs Carl Fischer. https://biography.guide/mrs-carl-fischer/
MLA: "Mrs Carl Fischer." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/mrs-carl-fischer/.
Chicago: "Mrs Carl Fischer." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/mrs-carl-fischer/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 04:59 UTC