Burden was born in England, the second son of Philip Henry Burden (ca1823 – 3 March 1864), and emigrated to South Australia with his parents when a young child, sometime before 1854. His father was secretary for the Adelaide Advertiser, and headed its commercial section until his early death.
Fred Burden was educated at Saint Peter"s College, and worked at the warehouse of Whyte, Counsell, & Company He then spent some years in England.
Barrow had founded The Advertiser with C. H. Goode in July 1858, and served as editor until his death in 1874. Ownership of The Advertiser was then in the hands of the widow Barrow and Thomas King (1833–1886). Daughter 21 April 1889 at Hutt Street, Adelaide
daughter 24 October 1891 in England.
