David Scott Mitchell

In 1836 Mitchell was born in Sydney, the son of Dr James Mitchell and his wife Augusta Maria Frederick, née Scott. James and Augusta are commemorated by a window in the Garrison Church. David Mitchell was born at Sydney Hospital, Mitchell won scholarships in mathematics and graduated B.A. in 1856 with honours in classics, and M.A. in 1859. It was said that he declined the position of attorney-general. Mitchell assisted in the management of the Hunter River estates. Allegedly, he broke off a romance with Emily Matilda Manning, daughter of William Montagu Manning. Mitchell's father died in 1869. Publication of the family affairs was humiliating to a man of Mitchell's sensitive disposition. ==Book collector==

In his search for books he was "largely indebted to the efforts of booksellers who knew Australiana, including George Robertson, Fred W. Wymark, William Dymock and James R. Tyrrell". Mitchell also purchased books from other collectors, most notably Mitchell purchased the 3,300-volume Australian collection of Alfred Lee in 1906. ==Other activities==

Mitchell was the first patron of the Royal Australian Historical Society in 1901. ==Further reading==