Pattie Fotheringhame, née Lewis ( – 1955), commonly referred to as Mrs J. Fotheringhame, was a journalist in

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

, Australia, who wrote for ''

The Bulletin Bulletin or The Bulletin may refer to: Periodicals (newspapers, magazines, journals) * Bulletin (online newspaper), a Swedish online newspaper * ''The Bulletin'' (Australian periodical), an Australian magazine (1880–2008) ** Bulletin Debate, ...

'' as "Mab". She has been described as Sydney's first woman journalist.

History

Fotheringhame was a daughter of James Lewis ( – ) and Mary Ann Lewis (c. 1819 – 23 August 1894) of Escrick Park, near York, England. She began her writing career with children's stories for the '' Sydney Mail'', and was invited to join the staff of that paper, but accepted a counter-offer by her brother-in-law William Henry Traill to join the Sydney ''Bulletin'', of which he was editor and part-owner. Her first assignment, as an inexperienced 17 year old, was as founding editor of the "Women's Letter" society column, under the byline "Mab" in 1881, in competition with Mrs. Gullett's page in '' The Daily Telegraph''. Working at the ''Bulletin'' brought her into contact with many of Australia's leading writers and artists: Henry Lawson, Harold "The Pilgrim" Grey, Victor Daley and George Augustus Sala. She left journalism after marrying James Fotheringhame, introducing as her replacement the vivacious

Ina Wildman Alexina Maude Wildman (28 February 1867 – 15 November 1896), also known as Ina Wildman, was an Australian journalist and columnist, known for writing weekly columns for ''The Bulletin'' magazine under her pen name "Sappho Smith". The first of ...

who, writing as "Sappho Smith", had an illustrious career before dying of nephritis. Around 1891 she purchased the children's monthly magazine ''Young Australia'' from

Louisa Lawson Louisa Lawson (née Albury) (17 February 1848 – 12 August 1920) was an Australian poet, writer, publisher, suffragist, and feminist. She was the mother of the poet and author Henry Lawson. Early life Louisa Albury was born on 17 February ...

(mother of Henry Lawson), and ran it for 20 years with Josephine Fotheringhame, her sister-in-law, as editor. Farmers' and Settlers' Publishing Co., Ltd, purchased the title in 1910. Around 1900 she purchased another monthly publication of more universal appeal, ''Splashes'', which she edited, and by 1902 was being praised for its content and production values. She sold the title to Hollander and Govett after 13 years, but stayed on as editor. Mary Grant Bruce contributed Melbourne social news. The paper, which at some stage began fortnightly publication, closed in 1917 due to wartime shortages. In March 1918 she began working for a new magazine, ''Ladies' Sphere''.

Other interests

Fotheringhame, an amateur photographer, was given equipment for photo-engraving by her brother-in-law Traill, who brought it back from America. She was successful in creating high quality zinc printing blocks from photographic negatives, so has been recognised as Australia's pioneer of the process.

Family

Pattie Lewis married Commander James Fotheringhame, R.N.R. (1856 – 3 April 1935) on 8 September 1886. He was eldest son of Ralph Fotheringhame, of Lynnfield House, Kirkwall, Orkney. Their children included: *Ralph Gilderoy Hepburn Fotheringhame (11 October 1890 – 25 May 1960) married Marcia Broadhurst on 28 February 1915 *Mab Traill Fotheringhame (15 August 1887 – 1 May 1961) married Reg M. Harrison c. 1912. They had a home "Cliffside", at Watsons Bay, Sydney and later at "Mohaka", 68 Louisa Road, Long Nose Point, Sydney Her sisters included Susanna Ascot Lewis (died 18 June 1920); Jessie Lewis (c. 1843–1867); and Agnes Lewis (c. 1855 – 17 May 1930), these last two being married to William Henry Traill. John Joseph Lewis, possibly (1860 – 22 October 1946) was a brother. Her sister-in-law, Josephine Fotheringham (c. 1854 – 13 September 1945), who was born in Orkney, wrote articles for '' Chambers' Journal''.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fotheringhame, Pat 1860s births 1955 deaths Australian women journalists Australian women editors 19th-century Australian journalists 20th-century Australian journalists Australian magazine publishers (people) Australian magazine editors 20th-century Australian women