Ink Bottle

This inkwell belonged to Sir William Sowden, editor of The South Australian Register from 1899 to 1922. Sowden was president of the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery of South Australia from 1908 until 1926, and later became president of the Institutes Association of SA (1926 - 37) and of the Australian Library Association (1928 - 32). He was president of the Adelaide branch of the Royal Society of St George and for five years acted as chief scout of the Boy Scouts Association of South Australia. He was also first president of the Discharged Prisoners Aid Association. Sowden, a Freemason, was a strong supporter of Federation, and argued for Australian-born governors. He was an influential figure in South Australian public life who regularly aired his Tory opinions in lectures and publications.

Donated by Sir William Sowden to the Art Gallery of South Australia, this inkwell was later transferred to the History Trust of South Australia, as part of the Historical Relics collections.