AustLit

John George Davies is a son of John Davies (1813-1872) and 'entered his father's newspaper business as office-boy'. Together with his brother Charles Ellis Davies, Davies took over the management of Hobart's Mercury newspaper in 1871. 'During their proprietorship the business, which became a limited company in 1895, firmly established itself as the colony's dominant newspaper and printing works. It retained a conservative attitude but its new owners, by continually expanding and modernizing, placed the Mercury in an unchallengeable position. The weekly Tasmanian Mail was begun during their term of management in 1877.'

Davies was heavily involved in the Van Diemen's Land community. He was a justice of the peace, an alderman, mayor, chief magistrate and member of the House of Assembly. He also held various positions with trusts and public utilities, and was an active sportsman.

On Davies's death, the Mercury wrote: 'Sir George Davies ... was in no sense a decorative man, but in place of brilliant talents he had solid capacity, the outlook on life of a plain and moderate man, good judgment, and a very genuine desire to give service to his country and his fellow-citizens.' He also displayed 'an ever-ready and cheerful will to expend himself in the service of the public. Without doubt he was poorer in purse as a consequence, and the strain most probably shortened his life; but he never realised the sacrifice, because it was made with whole-hearted zeal, and without thought - almost it might be said without understanding - of all that he gave. This readiness in service, his sane view of life and of men, combined with an easy amiability of disposition, secured for Sir George Davies esteem and friends in every part of Tasmania, and in all the other States.' (13 November 1913): 4.