Henry Skinner

Who was Henry Skinner?

Henry Alfred 'Harrie' Skinner was the RACA's founder and first Honorary Life Member. He introduced the first gramophone to Sydney, he was a photographic pioneer, he managed a circus and then some of the great variety acts of the day, and of course he was the founding force behind the Royal Automobile Club of Australia. By the time of his death, aged 82 in October 1936, Skinner had enjoyed an extraordinary life.

Born in England on 12 July 1854, Harrie came with his parents to Sydney around 1870, moving on to settle in Melbourne. From there he found a secure bank job in a small Victorian town, but a life in banking was not for him. At the age of around 21 he ran off "to join the circus" – Cooper and Bailey's Great American International Circus was thrilling Australia at that time, with a tour that included its big top on the site of today's Melbourne Arts Centre in 1877. The young Mr Skinner was attracted by the money to be made touring during that gold rush period. He later claimed to be making as much as £150 a week—but also losing it almost as rapidly.