James Thomson Syme
| Born: | c1819 Perth Scotland |
|---|---|
| Arrived: | 1857 |
| Died: | 1st April 1883 Edinburgh Scotland |
Career Timeline
| James Thomson Syme, formerly of the brewing firm Syme & Sison in Adelaide, was one of South Australia’s early colonists and a respected figure in the local brewing trade. A native of Perth, Scotland, he arrived in the colony in 1857 and, being a trained practical brewer, soon found employment with Mr. Primrose at the Union Brewery, where he worked until 1863. That year he entered into partnership with Mr. Sison, who had previously been associated with Mr. Crawford at the Hindmarsh Brewery. Together they established the Adelaide Brewery in Pirie Street, which they successfully operated for nearly two decades. In 1882 the business was sold to Anthony, Wicksteed and McIntyre. The success of the original partnership was widely attributed to Syme’s energy and business ability, as he acted as the principal manager of the concern. Syme travelled back to Scotland several times in later life, visiting his native country about four or five years before his death and again the previous year, when he left Adelaide in August accompanied by his wife. He was about sixty-three years of age, had no children, and although he did not take a prominent role in public affairs, he was well known and highly regarded in commercial circles for his integrity and sound conduct as a businessman. |