The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Thomas, Robert
Thomas, Robert, a native of Wales, was born in 1781. Settling in London on coming of age, he was in business in Fleet Street for a lengthened period. When the colony of South Australia was about to be established he decided on starting a newspaper there, in conjunction with Mr. George Stevenson, who acted as editor. The first copy of the South Australian Gazette and Colonial Register was printed in London on June 18th, 1836, prior to the departure of the first Governor and the first batch of emigrants. Mr. Thomas, with his wife and family, arrived in the colony by the Africaine in Nov. 1836; his eldest son Robert having preceded him as one of Colonel Light's Survey Staff in the Cygnet. The first number of the Register published in the colony appeared on June 3rd, 1837. Mr. Thomas lived many years after the success of his enterprising venture had surpassed his hopes. He had for some years severed his connection with the proprietary when he died, on July 1st, 1860.
Thomas, Robert (p. 464). In regard to the Register newspaper, the policy of the paper did not please the Government, whose representative about 1840 deprived Mr. Robert Thomas and his partner of the position and emoluments of Government printers. This deposition was strongly protested against by the sufferers, and Mr. Thomas visited England to take his grievance to Downing Street. He failed, however, to obtain redress, and his firm sank under an accumulation of embarrassments. Ultimately, however, the family connection with the Register was renewed under brighter auspices, and still continues.