People Australia

James Menpes, by Henry Jones, 1872

State Library of South Australia, b31240070

James Mempes [i.e. Menpes], born at Dover, Kent, England, August 1, 1818; arrived at Port Adelaide by the “Mary Ann Moffatt,” in 1839; entered into business there, and was very successful, till 1857, when the great fire occurred, and he was burnt out. Built the large and commodious shops in St. Vincent-street, near the railway-station, and also Cypress-terrace in Wakefield-street. Retired from business in 1866, and in 1875 left South Australia with his wife, son, and two daughters. He at present resides in the neighbourhood of London, and has, since his sojourn there, developed a talent for painting. Amongst specimens of his genius, three have recently arrived in the colony, and embrace the following subjects:—“The Grand Canal, Venice,” “A Port in Normandy,” and “An Ideal Landscape.” They were exhibited for several weeks in the Port Adelaide Art Gallery, and attracted the attention as well as called forth the admiration of old Portonians, amongst whom Mr. Mempes [Menpes] had so long lived, and by whom he was so much respected. One of the daughters of Mr. Mempes [Menpes] is married to the Rev. J. Hall Angas, the Presbyterian minister of Port Adelaide, and his second son (Mortimer L.) is (like his father) an artist of no mean capacity, he having gained several prizes for his etchings, &c., in various competitions in London, and, amongst others, one in connection with the Crystal Palace.