William MacLeod (3)

Adapted from the Dictionary of Australian Biography: Artist, and partner in the Bulletin magazine. Born in London on 27 October 1850, and came to Sydney at 5. Started working at age 12, first as a photographer's assistant, then a painter and as a designer in stained glass, and for a time was a drawing master at schools. When still in his early twenties he began contributing drawings to newspapers, and gained a reputation as a portrait painter. His work was hung at exhibitions of the Art Societies in both Sydney and Melbourne. When the Bulletin was founded in 1880, he had a drawing in the first number, and for the next two years was a regular contributor. He eventually became its business manager in September 1887, soon acquired an interest in the paper, and for nearly 40 years was actively engaged in the management of it. He also read all the proofs with a watchful eye for possible libel actions. At one period he owned three-fourths of the paper. He practically gave up working as an artist, but took a special interest in the cartoonists. His greatest discovery was David Low. Towards the end of his life he took up painting again, became interested in sculpture, and did a good deal of modelling. In 1926 he retired from the Bulletin and died on 24 June 1929.