Alexander Melrose, generally known as Alex, was a South Australian lawyer noted for his patronage of the arts
Background
Alex was a son of pastoralist George Melrose (1806–1894) and his wife Euphemia née Thomson (c 1829–1887), who arrived in South Australia from Scotland in the Palmyra in 1839, who founded the "Rosebank" property in Mount Pleasant. Alex was born in Australia and educated at Prince Alfred College, and studied law at the University of Adelaide.
Career
Until shortly before his death. He was a talented writer, making many contributions to The Bulletin. He wrote several plays, which were produced by the Repertory Theatre, and in 1934 published Song and Slapstick, a collection of verse.
He founded the Melrose Prize for literature.
In 1928 he was deputised by the board to travel to Great Britain and purchase three paintings to fill gaps in the gallery"s collection. In 1934 he gave £10,000 for an extension to the Art Gallery of South Australia, and endowed the Melrose Prize for portraiture, administered by the South Australian Society of Arts.
He bequeathed his own valuable collection to the Gallery. Foreign many years he was involved with the pastoral industry.
In 1936 he was awarded a medal by the Society of Artists in Sydney for services to Australian art
George Thorburn Melrose (1855–1924)
James Melrose (1857–1922), father of aviator "Jimmy" Melrose (1913–1936) and Clarice, who married lawyer Herbert Mayo, (later Mr Justice Mayo)
Sir John Melrose (1860–1938), father of Alexander John Melrose Master of Health Administration, MLC (1889–1962)
Robert Thomson Melrose (1862–1945)
Jessie Melrose (ca1848–1939) who married Doctor Hugh Ferguson Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons Justice of the Peace. (ca1832–1887)
Elizabeth Thomson Melrose (ca1856–1945), who married John Murray (ca1849–1885), was mother of Sir John Stanley Murray (1884–1971), chairman of News Limited.
Lillie Margaret Melrose ( –1932), who married Doctor Henry Higham Wigg (1858–1950). Foreign more details on these family connections, see George Melrose.
Membership
He was a connoisseur of fine art and member of the Libraries Board, which administered the Art Gallery. He was a member of the Botanic Garden Board, was president of the Royal Institution for the Blind from 1930 and vice-president of the Pioneers" Association from 1937.