A.T. Hodgson

An identity, who dated back to the cradle days of Australia, passed away at the Adelaide Hospital on Friday morning in the person of Mr. A. T. Hodgson, who had been in business as a bookseller in Flinders street for the last seven years. Mr. Hodgson came to the Commonwealth over half a century ago, and was on the Ballarat diggings at the time of the Eureka Stockade riots in 1854. Subsequently he opened a bookseller's shop in Castlemaine, where he was known by Mr. M. J. Clarice, now manager of Cole s Book Arcade, and by Mr. J. H. Cunningham, grand secretary of the Freemasons' Grand Lodge, whose present office is within a score of yards from Mr. Hodgson's shop. Mr. Hodgson came to this State about 20 years ago, and opened a business in Norwood. During his tenancy of those premises he paid a visit to England, and on relinquishing them he again crossed the ocean, opening in Flinders street on his return. He was not married, and was of a most reserved and retiring disposition, living alone, and devoting himself entirely to his books. He published a history of the Kelly gang, and also fifteen consecutive numbers of the 'Colonial Reciter/' all of which had a b:g -sale, and proved very popular. On Saturday, March 14, Mr. Hodgson fainted in his shop, and struck his head in falling. Mr L. F. Wicklein, of the Earl of Zetland Hotel, who is a near neighbor, and who frequently visited Mr. Hodgson's shop, called in Dr. Rogers, who considered that his patient was suffering from lack of nourishment, and. on Thursday of last week, acting .on his advice, Mr. Wicklein bad Mr. Hodgson conveyed to the Adelaide Hospital, where he remained until his death. At first he appeared to be recovering, but his constitution had been so enfeebled by his extreme abstemiousness that it lacked strength to combat the illness which affected aim. Mr. Hodgson, who was 73 years old, is said to have been in continuous business as bookseller longer than anyone else in Australia, and he was exceedingly well versed in all matters connected with his trade. His only relative is a niece (Miss Hunter).The executor under the will is Mr Lovett, and it is believed that Mr. Hodgson has left a good amount of property.

Adelaide Chronicle, 04 April 1903.