John Reay Watson

John Reay Watson (23 May 1872[1] — 12 June 1944)[2] was an Australian journalist and writer. He was the brother of politician Duncan Watson.[3]

Watson was born in Tinonee, New South Wales.[1] He worked as a bank clerk in Queensland, and then for The Sydney Morning Herald, Melbourne Argus,[4] and The Age.[5] He married Rose Coyle in 1905.[6] He was sent to London as a special correspondent for The Age in 1911,[7][8] where he reported on politics, theatre, and music, before returning to Australia in 1925.[2] He continued to manage The Age's literary supplement after his return to Australia.

Watson published short stories in The Bulletin for a number of years, as well as two novels in Australia. He later co-authored a pair of mystery novels in England with Arthur J. Rees.[9]

He died in Melbourne in 1944.[2]

Works

  • In a man's Mind (1896)
  • An Earthly Fulfilment (1899)
  • The Hampstead Mystery (1916) (with Arthur J. Rees)
  • The Mystery of the Downs (1918) (with Arthur J. Rees)

References

  1. ^ a b "A Manning River Author". The Manning River Times and Advocate for the Northern Coast Districts of New South Wales. 24 May 1899. p. 2. Retrieved 1 February 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ a b c "Death of Mr. J. R. Watson". The Age. 13 June 1944. p. 3. Retrieved 1 February 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Personal Items". The Bulletin. 19 November 1903. p. 29. Retrieved 1 February 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Epitome of News". The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser. 6 November 1903. p. 3. Retrieved 1 February 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Australiana". The bookfellow : the Australasian review and journal of the Australasian book trade. Vol. 5, no. 4. 16 February 1920. p. 65. Retrieved 1 February 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Engagements, &c". Queensland Figaro. 12 January 1905. p. 15. Retrieved 1 February 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "Personal Items". The Bulletin. 9 February 1911. p. 18. Retrieved 1 February 2026 – via National Library of Australia. A little exodus of pressmen from Melbourne to London is in progress. Besides James MacLeod and John Reay Watson, who have just gone, two others are packing.
  8. ^ "Personal Items". The Bulletin. 26 January 1911. p. 18. Retrieved 1 February 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ ""THE HAMPSTEAD MYSTERY."". Bendigo Advertiser. 11 January 1917. p. 5. Retrieved 30 December 2025 – via National Library of Australia.


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